AN art organisation's plans to alter one of Bradford city centre’s most striking buildings – part of a major upgrade of the group’s offer - have been approved.

Late last year, Kala Sangam announced major new plans for its current home – St Peter’s House in Little Germany.

Thanks in part to National Lottery funding, the arts group’s presence in the Grade II listed building, opposite the Broadway Shopping Centre, would be expanded to include a new 200 seater theatre.

A planning application to make the changes, such as creating a new entranceway, to the Grade II listed building was submitted in November.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An artist's impression of the planned worksAn artist's impression of the planned works (Image: Kala Sangam)

This has now been approved, with a Conservation Officer saying the work will “enable greater use of this significant building.”

St Peter’s House was built as a Post Office in the 1880s, and was also home to a museum before Kala Sangam moved in during 2007.

As well as the new theatre, the work will include a much improved lobby, studio space, new lift, and an area for local radio station BCB.

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Kala Sangam currently has little presence on the building’s ground floor, and says its space on the upper floors is “at capacity.”

Creating more accessible space would help boost the building as a nationally renowned arts venue, the organisation claimed.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: An artist's impression of the planned ground floor of Kala SangamAn artist's impression of the planned ground floor of Kala Sangam (Image: newsquest)

The work would involve changes to a listed building, and so the application required extra scrutiny from Bradford Council.

Conservation Officer Jon Ackroyd said: “The front elevation of the building is its primary aspect, now somewhat squeezed by the Broadway development but interestingly reflected in some of the glazed areas of the recent building.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Kala Sangam reflected in the windows of BroadwayKala Sangam reflected in the windows of Broadway (Image: newsquest)

“The back of St Peter's House is plain, and faces a massive retaining wall supporting the western approach to Bradford Cathedral.

“The back of St Peter's House was adapted in the late 1990s with a crisp and contemporary new entrance and atrium space.

“The interiors of the building are predominantly surprisingly plain.

“To expand the diverse and popular arts offer, reconfiguration of the building is sought, to increase capacity and improve the permeability of the building. Although past adaptations have been made, partly to attempt improved disabled access, these remain somewhat unsatisfactory.

“It is assessed that change is necessary to continue this use and ensure the building continues to meet the needs of its use and occupants.

“The use of the building is established and positive, and continuation of this desirable. On balance, the changes will support this use and enable greater use and enjoyment of this significant building.”