A LANDMARK derelict building in Shipley could finally be brought back into use after plans to turn it into supported living units were approved.

The Carnegie Library in Shipley was once one of the grandest buildings in the town, and dates back to 1905.

But after standing empty for many years the building, on the busy junction of Leeds Road and Carr Lane, is now a shadow of its former self, and has a variety of foliage growing from its crumbling shell.

There have been a number of plans for the building in recent years, ranging from converting the former library into flats to taking it apart brick by brick and moving it to a nearby residential development site.

Earlier this year Carlton Care Group, which provides services for adults with learning disabilities and complex needs, submitted a planning application to turn the building into residential accommodation.

The flats would be for adults who require some kind of support or care to prepare them for independent living.

This week planning officers at Bradford Council approved the application.

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The plans will see the building converted into seven flats - two one-bed flats, four two-bed flats and one three bed flat.

There would be six parking spaces created behind the building, which would be accessed via Crag Road.

There had been two objections to the plans, with one objector calling for the building to be moved and rebuilt next to Windhill Community Centre.

Bradford Council’s Heritage Conservation officer Simon Hinchcliffe said the building was not listed, but was “an important local landmark of architectural and community merit.”

The building is also close to Grade II listed Windhill Manor.

He added: “Carnegie Library is currently in a very poor state of repair both internally and externally. Finding a long term sustainable use for this building is key to its future preservation.

“The submitted proposals suggest a sympathetic restoration of the exterior of the building and are welcomed. There are limited surviving internal features so it is pleasing to see that the original ornate staircase will be retained and restored.”

Approving the plans, officers said: “The scheme is considered to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the setting of the area, will not harm the architectural and historical interest of the setting of a listed building and will bring vacant building back into use that is suggested to be an important local landmark of architectural and community merit.”

As well as being a library, the building has also been used as an Irish Centre and dance studio before becoming derelict.

Plans to turn the building into flats date back as far as 2008.

In 2013 plans to demolish the building and re-build it as part of a housing development were approved by Bradford Council. The move would be to improve traffic flows at the busy junction.

It was a joint application by supermarket giant Morrisons and Skipton Properties, that included a supermarket and plans for over 100 homes.

But Morrisons later pulled out of the scheme, halting the plans to move the library building, turn it into flats and improve the junction.

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