Plan to remove modern signs from listed building

Changes to the appearance of the building in the last year were unauthorised, say the council

Modern signage on a listed building could be replaced with a more traditional frontage if plans are approved.

The application to restore the front of the furniture store, at the corner of Peel Square and Lumb Lane in Bradford, said the owners had received an enforcement notice from the council over unauthorised changes to the building's exterior.

The building is part of the Eldon Close Conservation Area and forms one end of the grand row of homes known as Peel Square.

The square was built in the 1850s and is Grade II listed.

The building is a carpet and furniture store and the modern signage has increased in the past year, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The building's wooden-framed doors and windows have also been replaced with aluminium frames and some of the signs cover the windows.

A planning application has been submitted by Mazher Iqbal for the replacement of existing aluminium doors with timber doors and windows, including the reinstatement of stone detailing to the front.

It also called for the removal of the existing sign boards to the front and the installation of more traditional sign boards to the front and side elevations.

The application said the unauthorised frontage was installed in April last year.

"An enforcement notice has been issued as unauthorised work has been carried out," it added.

“The existing aluminium doors will be removed and replaced with timber doors, similar to the original, the stone lintel would be built back up to its original design.

"Some of the existing signs will be removed and similar sign boards will be added to both side elevations.”

A decision on the application is expected in July.