AN empty building on a major route through Shipley could soon be re-opened following an application from a Leeds based company.

The former Don Whiteley Scientific building on Otley Road has been vacant since 2018, and now a planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council to turn the building into a "flexible" storage building and office space.

Bracken Ltd has transformed a number of buildings in Leeds into flexible workspace, and has now set its sights on the Shipley building - which is also next to the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

The company plans to spend almost £1m refurbishing the building.

As well as changing the use of the buildings, the application calls for works to the roof and changes to the exterior, including cladding.

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Don Whitley Scientific Limited was been based in Shipley for four decades before it moved to Bingley in 2018.

The application says: "The building structure is in sound condition but showing signs of deterioration given the duration of vacancy. There is also evidence of anti-social behaviour occurring at the premises including broken windows from attempted break-in or vandalism and graffiti."

Referring to the planned works to the outside of the building, the application says: "The external materials and finishes are specified to be of high quality, both to represent the Bracken brand and to provide a robust form and attractive appearance when experienced in close proximity (on foot) or from further afield given the building’s prominence.

"At present and over recent years whilst vacant, the application site has made no positive contribution to socio-economic matters including job creation, business expansion, modernisation or achieving inward investment.

"The proposed improvement and use of the premises as self-storage facility represents a significant investment in Shipley by Bracken Ltd that will achieve a range of socioeconomic benefits.

"Works to strip-out, repair, improve and fit-out the premises provide substantial opportunities for local contractor businesses. It is currently estimated that the sum to be spent on these works is in the order of £950,000.

"When operational, the self-storage facility will directly employ a small number of staff, whilst the workspace may accommodate up to 60 people."

Neil Clark, Director of Bracken, said: "It is such a prominent building. We're taking the existing structure and bringing it into the modern era.

He said the space would be targeted at domestic businesses who need space to store extra stock.

He added: "We're bringing it back to life. Our aim is to convert it into a high quality building people notice, and that people use after it hasn't been used for a long period of time."

A decision on the application is expected in May.