Student flats could be offered to wider public

Lennon House was built in Bradford after plans were approved in 2015

Students flats in the centre of Bradford could be marketed to non-students if plans by a developer are approved.

Plans to convert Lennon House, a Grade II listed property on Sunbridge Road, into student accommodation were approved by Bradford Council in 2015.

But Miller Knight Developments has applied for permission to allow the flats to be marketed more widely, arguing the previously approved plans were too “restrictive”.

The application argued there had been a "decline in student numbers" in the city and claimed more accommodation would be needed for Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.

Floor layouts included in the planning application show that some of the studio flats in the development measure 181 sq ft (16.8 sq m).

Current space standards for UK homes require studio flats to have a minimum of 398 sq ft (37 sq m) of space, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

“The sole use for students is a restrictive description and the application seeks to remove the sole use for students given the current decline in student numbers and the prospect of increased visitor numbers to the city in 2025," the application said.

A decision on the plans is expected in the coming weeks.

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