COUNCIL officers have raised concerns about plans to turn part of a mill building into flats – saying future residents may suffer from the noise of nearby industrial businesses.

Mount Street Mills has been earmarked for a residential conversion that could see the first floor become 15 apartments.

An application by a Mr Anjam sought “prior approval” for this work. Changes to planning law mean developers can apply to turn empty office space into flats without the need for planning permission.

Councils are only able to block such work if there are considerable highways or environmental health concerns.

The building, on Mount Street, off Leeds Road, is close to a number of industrial businesses, including car and engine repairs and skip hire companies.

Bradford Council has now blocked the work from going ahead, saying it fails to meet the standards for prior approval due to the location of the building.

Officers said: “The premises are surrounded by manufacturers, warehouses and distributers. No details were provided with the application to show how noise and odour will be mitigated.

“Before the application can be considered the applicant must provide a noise report together with details on acoustic measures to be adopted to prevent noise nuisance complaints.”