STUDENTS could soon be living in a former Huddersfield department store.

Developer Khalid Pervaiz has asked Kirklees Council for permission to convert the old Thatchers Furnishing buildings on Dundas Street and Threadneedle Street.

The furniture store closed in October 2011 after more than 70 years of trading in the town centre.

Mr Pervaiz’s company SKA Textiles wants to convert the buildings into accommodation for 40 students.

Planning consultants David Storrie Associates of Lincoln Street have compiled a 22-page report about the proposal.

It explains that the buildings are no longer attractive to retailers.

“The premises were marketed with no interest in a continued retail use,” the report said.

“We believe the split level internal layout is a disincentive to modern day retail or office use and other town centre uses, such as entertainment, would be unlikely to use the whole of the building.

“There are approximately 25,000 students attending the higher education facilities in Huddersfield town centre and these have generated a demand for accommodation.”

Mr Pervaiz wants to convert the two buildings into 40 en-suite bedrooms, four communal lounges, a laundry room and an activity area.

The work would involve changes to the Grade II listed building which fronts on to Dundas Street, as well as alterations to the unlisted building behind it on Threadneedle Street.

Modifications would include:

Removing shopfront windows and replacing them with partially opaque windows for greater privacy.

Removing the basement door and installing a window.

Installing a glazed entrance with curved glass canopy.

According to David Storrie Associates, the changes are necessary to bring the buildings back into use.

The report reads: “The application seeks to adapt a vacant building to an appropriate use.

“Other uses would require significantly more adaptation. Inevitably some works have been required to repair existing faults and also to alter existing rooms.

“However, this harm has to be weighed against the securing of the long-term use of the building.

“It is our opinion that the harm is more than outweighed by the benefits of bringing the building back into use.”

Kirklees is yet to announce a date for a decision on the proposal.

Twenty workers lost their jobs when Thatchers went into administration and closed late last year.

A new firm, Thatchers of Huddersfield Ltd, began trading from the Great Northern Retail Park on Leeds Road on Boxing Day.