THE number of apartments planned for the redevelopment of a Bradford mill is likely to be slashed due to the current state of the student flat market.

Plans to convert Industry Mills into flats date back to 2015, with the initial plans for 139 student flats in the Thornton Road building.

Proposals by Narinder Sekhon would see the roof removed and two new storeys built on the mill.

But these plans were paused in recent years, and now a new application for 61 flats has been submitted to Bradford Council by Mr Sekhon.

The application says the changes will create a mix of one and two bed flats in “a good sought after address in an affluent area with a good post code for residents". 

These amended plans will scrap the extra two storeys, with the flats being kept in the shell of the existing building.

The application says although some space in the building is let to businesses, the majority of the mill is empty.

The planning application claims that since the student flats plan was approved, the market has become “saturated” and is unlikely to pick up any time soon.

It says the Covid pandemic reduced the appetite for student flats, and the rising cost of materials in the past year means creating low-cost flats is no longer viable.

The application says: “Utility bills, labour cost, building materials and rental costs have soared to record high making student housing a risky project.

“All of this leads to the potential for underutilised buildings across campuses.

“The ongoing Russian war had shifted the student housing market requirements to be even more risky.

“Property agents research data has suggested that the residential apartments option would be a much safer proposal.

“Also it is not financially viable to remove the existing roof and create two additional new floors over the building.”

It adds: “To do nothing, the building will remain vacant for the unforeseeable future and fall further into a dilapidated state.

“To provide a fresh use will assist with sustainable use of a part vacant building and providing town centre city living ethos.”

The application concludes: “This is a bold attempt to find a new lease of fresh use to the old mill building.

“Therefore we need Bradford Council support for a positive decision so that this redevelopment can become a reality.”

There will be car and cycle parking spaces created next to the mill.

A decision is expected in July.