Former city offices to accommodate 126 apartments

Bradford Council has given change of use permission to plans to build 126 apartments at a property in the city centre.

The proposals have been approved for The Xchange tower block, in Market Street, previously known as Arndale House.

The conversion into apartments will be carried out between the second and eighth floors. The 126 flats will include 98 one-bedroom flats and 28 two-bedroom flats.

A supporting statement, submitted with the application on behalf of Xchange Development Company 2018, explains that there will be 18 flats per floor, while the building’s ground and first floors will be for access only.

The statement adds: “The existing retail, leisure and commercial uses on the ground floor and first floor will remain following the completion of the proposed development.

“Arndale House is not a listed building, nor does it lie within the curtilage of a listed building.”

The application notes that the building already has excellent public transport links, so the scheme should not result in further congestion on the roads once turned into flats.

And it emphasises the property’s city centre location means it is ideally situated for access to a wide range of shops, public services and other amenities.

The supporting statement says: “The application site benefits from being sustainably located in relation to the public transport infrastructure, local services and employment opportunities.”