Rosetree Homes has applied for permission to partly demolish industrial and warehouse buildings in the East End which previously belonged to the Howe Sewing Machine Company.

The B-listed structures would be converted into 50 flats with a further 40 new flats built in the grounds.

The site, which is bounded by London Road police station to the south and the council’s car pound premises to the north and west is zoned for industry and business use and not housing.

But city council executive planning director Richard Brown said: “The existing listed buildings are in a very poor state of repair and apart from the ground floor block on Fielden Street have been vacant for more than 40 years.

“It is considered the buildings are at risk and the agent has submitted evidence that the only viable option of retaining the listed buildings is to have change of use to residential.

“This involves the three main listed warehouse buildings, with partial demolition of other buildings on the site, with new build flats to help subsidise the cost of development.

“On the basis of the poor state of the listed buildings, the proposed partial demolition is considered acceptable in order to save the remaining listed buildings.”

Mr Brown said the derelict warehouses are not suitable for modern industry or business needs so converting them into flats would not only save them for the future but also provide an impetus for improvements to the surround area.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk