A CONSERVATION area building near Bradford city centre can be turned into an office after new plans were approved.

Southern House, 18 Lumb Lane is one of the city’s many protected Victorian buildings – awarded a Grade-II listing in 1983.

The building had been used as an office in the past, but in 1999 planning permission was granted to convert the property for residential use.  For much of the time since then the building’s ground floor windows have been boarded up, with only the upper floor used.

Last year an application to turn the heritage building back into an office was submitted by M Rafaquat, and this week the plans were approved.

Conservation officers said: “The building makes a positive contribution to the Conservation Area.

“The proposed change of use is not anticipated to cause any loss of heritage significance.”

Approving the scheme, planning officers said: “The proposal would likely lead to an intensification of use of the site and increased demand for on-street parking.

“However, the proposed office will provide five full-time jobs and due to the size of the building it is not deemed to result in significant employment generating development, with no objections raised to this proposal by the Council's highways team.“