NEW plans for a listed mill in Bradford could see the roof being fully replaced, an empty floor converted into student flats and a "green living roof" created on one part of the building.

Grade II listed Legrams Mill on Legrams Lane is currently home to a banqueting hall, restaurant and apartments.

Now a new planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council that would see the vacant fourth floor converted into 23 student flats and a common room.

The building's roof, which is in need of repair, will be replaced, and a garden area created on the roof of a three storey section of the building known as West End House.

Built in the 1870s, the mill was designed by renowned architects Lockwood and Mawson, who were behind some of Bradford's most beloved buildings.

It features belvedere towers either side of the building - similar to Salts Mill in Saltaire.

Legrams Mill was constructed for loom manufacturer George Hodgson, and was officially listed in 1983.

Changes to business needs make it 'inevitable' that Legrams Lane mill will be converted into flats

It remains one of the city's best surviving mill buildings, and the application says filling up the remaining empty space will be one of the best ways to maintain the listed building.

The application has been submitted by Browntree Properties Ltd, and will include the creation of a mezzanine floor within the student flats.

The most unique aspect of the plans are the "living roof" that will be created on the to of West End House - three storeys above street level.

The application says: "We have provided a large outdoor space over the roof of the West End house in the form of a green living roof. Utilizing the existing flat roof over West End House deals with the defective roof over West End House as well as providing an outdoor space accessed from the third floor. This outdoor space will be available to all residential units."

The application reveals that the original proposals for the empty space included 30 student flats, no common room and a new "duplex" building made up of seven apartments over West End House.

The scheme was altered after discussions with planning officers at Bradford Council, leading to the latest application.

The application says the vacant fourth floor has been difficult to market - as there are much more accessible business units in the area. It claims residential is the only likely use for the floor.

The Mill already has 68 parking spaces, and the plans include an extra six parking spaces, as well as 24 cycle stands.

The application adds: "Over the past years, the applicant has tried to maintain the roof covering and it has now reached a stage where a substantial work is required to the roof covering due to water ingress. The applicant’s intention is to strip the roof covering and replace the whole roof rather than undertake a piecemeal approach to the roof repair, at the same time replacing the defective patent glazing with new.

"The best way of securing the upkeep of the main listed building on the site is to keep it in active use. The proposed change use will bring the last vacant floor into active use that will benefit all."

A listed building work application for the plans have also been submitted, and a decision is expected on the application in May.