PLANS to turn a Conservation Area pub into offices have been approved, despite heritage officers calling the move ‘regrettable.”

This Summer, a planning application to convert the vacant Fire Brigade pub on Southfield Lane into office space was submitted to Bradford Council by Shehzad Ilyas.

The pub dates back to the 19th Century, and lies within the Great Horton Conservation Area.

The plans have now been approved, with officers arguing the benefits of finding a new use of a prominent, vacant building outweighs the loss of a traditional pub.

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Planning officers said: “The change of use would involve bringing this vacant public house back into use which would contribute to levels of activity in the conservation area.

“Whilst the loss of the public house is regrettable, it is deemed that the change of use is acceptable.”

Conservation officers did raise concerns about the planned replacement of windows with more modern, UPVC windows.

But officers said other buildings in the Conservation area had similar windows, and added: “The proposal will bring this building back into use and this progress is considered to be acceptable and would outweigh the harm caused to the host building as a result of the black UPVC windows.”