Bid to turn vandal-hit Halifax town centre offices into apartments
The buildings have long been prominent office space in the town centre.
A developer is seeking planning permission to convert office space at two Halifax town centre buildings – lately extensively hit by vandalism – into nine apartments.
Mr Amjad Mahmood has applied to Calderdale Council seeking permission for the change of use at 11 and 12 Wards End, the latter known as Ward’s End Chambers.
The buildings have long been prominent office space in the town centre.
In a supporting statement with the application, the applicant’s agents, Durkin Architectural Design, say the plans are to change the use and refurbish the buildings.
The smaller building, number 11, has accommodation over four floors and a basement, while Wards End Chambers is over three floors and has a large basement area, according to the supporting statement.
Historically, the properties were two large houses and evidence internally supports this with fireplaces in most rooms throughout the building with a domestic style layout for rooms and bathrooms.
The agents say number 11 has past usage as a young people’s support service with various organisations and Wards End Chambers was occupied by an architectural surveyors company until the building became vacant.
A new future for the building is needed, they argue, with lack of use resulting in serious vandalism.
“The buildings over the years have been mainly used as office accommodation but have been empty for many years due to lack of interest in selling or letting for alternative uses.
“As the building is empty this has attracted vandals resulting in all electric and gas services been stripped out of the basement areas and the services isolated.
“Also an adjoining building suffered a large fire recently which has caused internal and external damage to no 11.
“The buildings now require restoration and refurbishment to upgrade all services and fabric,” says the heritage supporting statement.
The agents say the exterior of the buildings will not change.
Inside, there are some features that have survived over time such as wrought iron staircases, fireplaces and ornate plasterwork to staircase and landing areas which would all be retained.
There would be “minimal” alterations to the layout and the restoration, repair, and refurbishment would allow all window frames to be restored, and the building would benefit from up-to-date energy efficient services and appliances.
Insulation, sound proofing, electrical heating, and many more energy efficient features will be incorporated into the design, say the agents – if planners give the go-ahead.