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A LONG-EMPTY Victorian building in Bradford city centre will soon be brought back into use after new plans were approved.
The former St Marys Catholic Boys School is near the junction of Shipley Airedale Road and Barkerend Road, one of the main routes into Bradford city centre, and has stood empty for over a decade.
Many of its windows have been boarded up, and the building has been described as “pigeon infested.”
What are the new plans?
Over the summer, a planning application to convert the school into a gym and community centre was submitted to Bradford Council.
The proposals came from Pinnacle Performance Fitness Studio, a community interest company that is currently based in City Exchange on Nelson Street.
The organisation’s planning application said it was looking to re-locate to the listed former school.
Alterations to the listed building would be minor – it claimed.
Approving the plans last week, officers said the building “shows signs of deterioration” and that the new use would help safeguard its future.
Building's history
The building dates back to the 1870s, and was designed by architect Edward Simpson.
It is next to the former St Mary's church, which was recently used as an events venue called Regency Hall.
That venue has recently been to let, but according to estate agent Sharma Williamson, terms were recently agreed for that property.
St Mary’s was built as the Roman Catholic Mother Church of Bradford, with much of the construction carried out by the parishioners themselves.
Why the new plans were approved
The application said: “The proposals are to convert the former St Marys Catholic Boys school into a multi-use gymnasium/fitness Centre, education and community meeting space.
“The proposed applicant is a Community Interest Company, providing services to the general public and local authority support to specialist groups, encouraging movement and health improvements to all.
“The building will provide two large dedicated studio spaces, which are then able to be used for multiple purposes.”
Approving the plans, officers said: “The property is currently vacant and exhibits signs of deterioration.
“Considering the proposal would bring the building back into use and assist in securing the building's long-term occupation, maintenance, and preservation, the proposed use is acceptable.
“The proposed change of use would allow the building to be brought back into viable use, facilitating its maintenance and preservation, and the internal and external changes would not harm the appearance or heritage significance of the host building.”
The move is expected to bring seven jobs to the building.