MORE flats have been proposed for an East Lancashire town centre.

A planning application has been submitted to turn the upper floors of 53 and 55 Darwen Street Blackburn into two self-contained apartments.

The bid by Babar Raja Afzal is the latest of several to bring more residential accommodation to the town centre.

Supporting documents submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council say: "Darwen Street Conservation Area is one of five within Blackburn’s town centre.

"It contains a collection of fine nineteenth and twentieth century buildings which are set around the historic north-south axis of Darwen Street adjacent to Blackburn’s public transport interchange.

"Darwen Street Conservation Area was originally designated in 1994.

"It is located to the immediate south of the Cathedral Church of St Mary the Virgin and its precinct and can be considered to have two distinct zones.

"To the east, the conservation area functions as a public transport interchange and incorporates both the town’s railway station and bus station, whilst the western section is arranged around the north-south axis of Darwen Street and is dominated by service and financial uses and by small independent retail and commercial properties.

"The application is for a proposed change of use of the upper floors from offices to dwelling including alterations to an existing external staircase to the rear.

"It is considered that the heritage asset has little historical significance in that it is not a rarity and that the proposal represents a material benefit in that it would secure the future use of the building.

"Conservation area status is not intended to stifle new development nor preserve areas as museum pieces.

"Conservation areas should evolve to meet changing demands as in this particular application to create a unique and sustainable dwelling which will provide longevity and pleasure for future generations to come.

"The proposals accord with all the relevant national and local planning policies and guidance that have been identified for the protection of the historic environment.

"The proposed development is therefore considered sustainable development.

"The proposal is of a high standard of design and reflects the character and appearance of the area in terms of its external appearance, height, scale and materials.

"The development pays special attention to the features which give the area its special architectural or historic character and does not introduce changes which would detract from this."