NEW details have emerged for plans to redevelop one of Huddersfield's historic buildings.

Britannia Buildings in St George's Square are set for a transformation.

It has been revealed that they are set to be converted to provide flats, a café bar, a restaurant and shops.

The ambitious scheme has been submitted by Jack Lunn Developments, which paid £2.15m for the former Yorkshire Building Society premises.

The plan calls for 24 flats on the two upper floors, while the 14,000sq ft ground floor and basement will provide the café bar, shops and restaurant.

The ornate stone exterior will be retained.

Director Philip Lunn said: "We are extremely excited about the refurbishment of Britannia Buildings.

"It provides us with the opportunity to create a high-quality landmark, mixed-use scheme in the centre of Huddersfield."

The Grade 2 listed building has had just three owners since it was built in 1858.

Said Mr Lunn: "It is very rare to see a listed structure in private ownership maintained to such a high standard.

"We look forward to transforming the inner areas into apartments and retail and leisure facilities to complement the exterior."

The building was sold by property agent Knight Frank in Leeds.

Mark Rothery, a spokesman for Knight Frank, said: "This is a trophy building, one of the very finest in Huddersfield.

"The plans to convert it into a combination of residential accommodation and retail outlets are extremely exciting."

Mr Rothery said Huddersfield was enjoying a boom in residential development and the flats in Britannia Buildings should prove very popular.

He added: "Overall, this development underlines the tremendous renaissance of Huddersfield during the past couple of years, with the new Kingsgate retail centre and new quality bars and restaurants."

Britannia Buildings was built in 1858 for £12,000 as a warehouse for local woollen manufacturer George Crosland.

It was built in the Italian style by local architect William Cocking, as a replica of the Ducal Palace in Florence.

It became the headquarters of the Huddersfield Building Society - the forerunner of the Yorkshire Building Society - in 1928.

Britannia Buildings completed the fourth side of St George's Square after the railway station (1850), the George Hotel (1851) and Lion Arcade (1854).

The building society recently moved its town centre branch to the corner of New Street and Cloth Hall Street.