OFFICE space in a listed Bradford building can be converted into flats after new plans were approved.

When plans to create 20 flats on the ground and first floor of Merchant’s House were submitted earlier this year, the application said the “challenging climate” created by Covid 19 had made it difficult to let office space in the building.

Submitted by I Singh, it said “plan B” for the building was to convert these floors into flats - with 10 one bed flats on each floor.

The upper floors were already in the process of being converted to residential.

The application said: “The local and national lockdowns with Government encouraging people to work from home has caused these small, cellular office units to become vacant, with little interest in leasing as a consequence.”

New proposals to bring life back to Bradford's iconic Little Germany area

Located on Peckover Street, the building dates back to 1880, and is one of Little Germany’s many listed properties. The building’s lower ground floor is home to a shop, cafe and a bar.

Approving the scheme planning officers said: “The proposed development would enable the re-use of a listed building and provide much needed housing in a highly sustainable location where there is good access to existing shops and services.

“The proposed development does not present any concerns in respect of the preservation of heritage assets, visual amenity, residential amenity or highway and pedestrian safety.”