Bradford city center beds plan called ‘risky’

Plans to convert an old building in Bradford city center into 38 beds have been called “risky” and “alarming” by the city’s Civic Society.

The plans include converting part of part of Godwin Street into a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

The developer said the compact homes, with shared kitchens and dining areas, would provide accommodation for those “desperately in need”.

However, the society said that if Bradford became “saturated” with small living spaces, it would have a negative impact on the city.

A decision on the request is expected next month, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The property is currently vacant office space, but management company Jmail Assets said the space was difficult to lease commercially due to the “awkward size and shape of the floor plate and the lack of modern IT facilities and parking”.

The “high quality” lots would be popular with young professionals and PhD students, he added.

However, the chairman of Bradford Civic Society said the growing number of small flats in the city center could pose a “significant risk” to the vitality of Bradford.

“Physical Contribution”

The planning statement, prepared by Jade 3 Architecture, said: “This style of shared accommodation will meet and fulfill the aspirations of the council.

“There has already been a lot of interest in renting these HMO units from professionals and students, which is positive news, especially in these unprecedented and challenging economic times.

“Many large office blocks in the city center have already been converted to residential apartments as this becomes the norm.”

The architecture firm said tenants of the apartments would make a “physical contribution” to the local economy and make it more social and vibrant.

Si Cunningham, chairman of Bradford Civic Society, said: “To be honest, it’s a bit alarming to see more office to residential conversions of this nature.

“Godwin Street isn’t exactly a pleasant, sleepy hold either.”

Mr Cunningham said more homes were “undoubtedly” needed in Bradford, but said there should be a clampdown on the “proliferation of HMOs and other cheap bed-like conversions”.

He added: “We have unfortunately seen some examples of landlords buying large properties to convert into HMOs for people, many of whom are vulnerable, outside of Bradford.”

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