PROPOSALS to build a shop and 59 flats on a car park have been revealed - and the scheme will be the first step in the redevelopment of a vacant Bradford mill.

This week a planning application to develop the Clarges Street car park site off Little Horton Lane was submitted to Bradford Council by AMAFHH Investments.

The London based company owns neighbouring Brigella Mills, a vacant building and former headquarters for Hield textile manufacturers that is also earmarked for a residential redevelopment.

Its owner says the Clarges Street scheme and the mill projects would be a "catalyst for change" in the area, and says the development will be of a much higher quality than many of the recent flat developments seen in the city.

The application for the car park site would see 293 square metre commercial unit built on the ground floor and 59 apartments, 24 one bed flats and 35 two bed flats, built on the upper floors.

There would be almost 40 car parking spaces as well as 85 cycle parking spaces.

The developers say the flats, a short distance from St Luke's Hospital, will be offered to key workers first.

Laith Al Balaghi, CEO of AMAFHH Investments, said the project was the first in a series of planned developments across Bradford.

He said: “The last year has been challenging for everybody, but as we start to see a way out of the Covid-19 lockdowns, we feel there is a real pent up energy for change within the city. Although the funding is coming from outside the area, we are keen to invest locally by using Bradford based companies to deliver this project and our other schemes.”

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The company says it's aim is to raise the quality of residential projects in the city. Dean Woodward, Partner of Bradford based Architects Design Studio-North, added: “The aspirations of AMAFHH are to raise the bar in terms of apartment developments in Bradford and the scheme aims to do this through the provision of units around 20 per cent larger than the usual minimum national standards.”

“If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it has been a desire to have improved living environments and this scheme’s larger apartments allied to a generous outdoor garden area and high quality finish provides a residential environment superior to most recent local developments.”

“Brigella Mills is the most significant building around the site and this heritage asset provides the inspiration for the proposed scheme. The project will use a mix of materials including natural, locally sourced stone, render and zinc panels to create a contemporary design solution that is connected to its Little Horton context.”

Tom Maxwell, Regional manager for West Yorkshire for AMAFHH Investments said the project would be environmentally responsible through the use of high fabric insulation levels and onsite electricity generation. He stated that “the site is ideally located for the Little Horton Lane bus corridor, whilst the project also provides very high levels of secure cycle parking to encourage sustainable transport options, something that is vital as Bradford seeks to do its part in addressing the Climate Emergency”.

The project would provide onsite car parking with electric vehicle charging.

Mr Al Balaghi said there was no reason why Bradford should not have the type of high quality developments that are currently being created in Manchester and Leeds.

“The development economics are obviously a little different but if you don’t aim high, then you will never deliver change. We would like to see this project act as a catalyst for change in the local area. This is our first development in the area and we are very excited for everyone to see the calibre of project that we are bringing forward. We hope that it will inspire others to see the potential that exists across the Bradford district.”

A decision on the application is expected in early December.