Luxury flats plan for fire-ravaged mansion house

St Ives Mansion in Bingley was hit in March by a major fire which police believe was arson

A mansion house and former nursing home which was ravaged by fire earlier this year could be converted into luxury apartments if new plans are approved.

St Ives Mansion, on the St Ives Estate in Harden, Bingley, was badly damaged in a huge blaze in March.

The Grade II listed building had been vacant long before the fire, which police deemed to be arson and which was attended by about 50 firefighters.

But a planning application to convert the property into 29 flats has now been submitted, which said the change would give "practical use for a vacant building".

The building was last used as a disability care home, but that use ended in 2016 and the 25,000 sq ft (2,323 sq m) property has since been left vacant.

It was purchased by Vision Care in 2021.

If the plans are given the go-ahead by Bradford Council, the building would be converted from a 50-bed care home to 29 apartments.

'Positive contribution'

There would be minimal changes to the listed property, with most of the work being internal, according to the application.

The flats would be a mix of 15 one-bedroom apartments and 14 two-bedroom apartments.

It added: “The change of use does not affect the primary facade and retains the heritage of the building visually. All existing window and door openings are to be retained.

“The change-of-use proposal is of good design and certainly adds a positive contribution and significance back into the local character and distinctiveness of the St Ives area."

The changes would "create better visual improvements and appearance" to the building's rear facade and the immediate area, the application said.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, it was believed that much of the application was written before the fire in March.

A decision on the application is expected next month.

No arrests have yet been made in connection with the fire.

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