TRANSFORMING a vacant building that forms part of a huge Bradford mill complex into a cafe could "encourage the wider regeneration" of the site.

A planning application to convert The Mill Lounge at Whetley Mill, off Thornton Road, has recently been approved by Bradford Council.

Whetley Mill dates back to the 1860s, when it was build by one of Bradford's many wool traders. It is a Grade II listed building.

For years large sections of the former wool spinning mill, designed by architects Milnes and France, have stood empty, with some showing signs of severe dereliction.

But more recently work has been done to attract more business to the site, and the ground floor is now occupied by several different types of business from baking and catering companies to a Toolstation.

Earlier this year Faisal Tariq submitted a planning application to create a new cafe in an empty building next to the pond at the centre of the mill complex.

The building had been partially demolished without planning permission in the past. The new proposals would see the construction of a cafe building that will take up the full footprint of the pre-demolition building.

The new cafe would include a number of outdoor seating "pods" alongside the mill pond.

Plan to turn last vacant floor of listed mill into flats is approved

The application says: "The buildings adjacent to the southern mill pond are derelict.

"It is accepted that regeneration of these historic buildings is essential.

"Even though this is a small and modest re-use and re-development of an existing building, we have considered the wider context of the whole site and believe that the location, setting and design compliments and enhances the setting of the listed building in terms of wider opportunities for access, pedestrian connections, green links, open spaces and creating a sense of place."

Approving the proposals, planning officers said: "The creation of a café in this location is considered to be appropriate given that it would serve the immediate business community as well as introducing a use which would bring people into this area later in the evening.

"This could encourage the wider regeneration of this mill complex.

"The 'pods' alongside the existing water feature are a contemporary feature which add interest to the area and also serve to enhance the setting of the listed complex."

In August a planning application to build a world food restaurant in a car park area of the mill was also approved by Bradford Council.