A HUGE office complex in Crossflatts could soon be converted into almost 140 flats.

Proposals to convert both Aire Valley House and neighbouring building The Hive, on Croft Road, from office space to residential have been submitted to Bradford Council.

Local Councillors have said the development could help prevent housing from being built on green areas around the village, but one raised concerns that the loss of such a large business site plans could seal the area’s fate as a commuter town.

Rather than a full planning application, the applicants, ARC BBWYKUK001 have contacted the Council to see if “prior approval” is needed, or if the development can go ahead without the need for planning permission.

Recent changes to planning rules by the Government make it easier for developers to convert office space to flats without the need for planning permission.

Aire Valley House is a four storey office building off Aire Valley Road, the main route between Bingley and Keighley, while the neighbouring Hive building is two storeys tall.

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If the redevelopment goes ahead Aire Valley House would be converted into 111 flats with another 28 created in The Hive.

The site has 479 parking spaces as well as 142 internal cycle parking spaces and 142 “short stay” cycle parking spaces.

The flats will be a mix, ranging from studio apartments to three bed flats, and there would also be a gym on each floor.

A transport statement included with the application says the amount of daily car journeys to the site if it does become residential would be significantly reduced compared to the building operating as at full capacity as offices.

It also says there is a surplus of parking on the site compared to what would be needed for 139 flats.

It adds: “The proposed change of use will generate significantly fewer vehicle trips both during the network peak hours and throughout the day.”

The office building is currently leased to financial administration company Computershare.

The company told the Telegraph & Argus that it would not be commenting on the plans, other than confirming that they are tenants in Aire Valley House, and do not own the building.

Local Councillors have mixed views on the plans. Councillor Geoff Winnard (Cons, Bingley) said: “Unfortunately there is unlikely to be a demand for office space anytime soon and converting the site to be used for housing is a better alternative to empty office buildings.

“It is much better than building on our green open spaces.

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“However new flats will inevitably put additional pressure on local infrastructure including GP services which are already under some strain and this will need to be addressed.”

Councillor David Heseltine (Cons, Bingley) said: “Whilst using the site for housing may address one issue, are apartments the right solution as we really need affordable family homes?

“I am also concerned at the loss of employment space in the area, we are heading to being a commuter town.

“If the site does become housing then the numbers must come off our imposed housing allocation, taking pressure off our green fields and green belt.”

Councillor Marcus Dearden (Lab, Bingley) said: "Whilst It initially appears to be a strange choice of building to be converted into apartments, no members of the public have raised the proposal as an issue. I feel it is a sensible use of an existing building which is to be encouraged as a preferred option rather than building on greenbelt land.

"The infrastructure is in place with easy access from main ‘A’ road, and will also reduce the pressure on the proposed increase in residential properties across the Bingley area."

A decision on the application is expected late next month.