A FORMER commercial building next to Bradford City’s grounds could be converted into 48 bedsits - with future residents sharing kitchen facilities.

Cornwall House, just yards from the the football club’s Valley Parade stadium, is the subject of the latest planning application seeking permission to convert one of the city’s commercial buildings into housing.

Submitted to Bradford Council by Manchester based Waterway Property Investments , the application calls for permission to turn the building into a “house in multiple occupation” - the planning term for a building where people live in separate bedsits and share communal facilities.

The average size for the bedsits in this development would be 11.5 square metres, and although each room has en suite bathroom facilities, future residents will have to share a kitchen with six other people.

The planning application says the development will provide “much needed accommodation” for the area and urges Bradford Council to approve the scheme “without delay.”

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The four-storey building, at the junction of Cornwall Terrace and Holywell Ash Lane, was recently occupied by tech company Calibre UK, but the application says it is currently unused after the company re-located.

The application says the work will see the building’s ground, first, second and third floors turned into accommodation with the basement left for other uses. There will be very little change to the building’s exterior.

The application says: “The average size of the proposed HMO units is 11.5 sq.m and suitable for single occupancy.

“Each unit is to have its own ensuite, and so no communal bathing facilities are required. There will be communal kitchens, two to each floor. The basement will provide laundry facilities, bicycle and storage and office management space.”

“The proposals will tidy up the building from its current unkempt state. The proposed use does not create any adverse impact from noise or other environmental nuisance that would cause disturbance or disruption to the area or to other nearby occupiers. The use is an improvement over other commercial uses the building could be put to or has been used for in the past.”

There is no dedicated parking included in the plans, but the application says the proximity with Manningham Lane and the city centre means that turning the building into residential use was still “sustainable.”

It adds: “The site is also in a highly accessible location, being close to the town centre and in an area served by public transport.

“The building is a prominent building at this location and should be retained.. It has been in employment use previously but that is not sustainable here with this type of building and it is important to find a suitable long term use for it.

“The proposals therefore meet the aims and objectives of achieving sustainable development, which is the main stated aim of the planning system. It is in compliance with the development plan and in such cases, development should be allowed without delay.”

A decision on the planning application is expected in December.