A Victorian former town centre pub could become a shop and apartments.

Nelson-based Zakir Khan, of Oakwood Investment Mcr Ltd, wants to convert the building in Market Street Lane, Blackburn, into a ground floor convenience store and four self contained flats in its upper floors.

The changes to the building, once the Dun Horse public house, also involve its part demolition to the rear and the erection of new fire escape stairway with new pitched lean-to roof.

The planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council proposes changing the ground floor of the existing licensed premises to become a convenience store with no access to the upper levels; the basement cellar becoming a store room for the shop; the first floor being converted into two one bed studio flats and the second floor being turned into two one bed studio flats.

A heritage statement submitted with the application says: "The application site was constructed cira1849 to 1890 and lies within the Cathedral Conservation area.

"The Cathedral Conservation area is dominated by the Church of St Mary the Virgin and includes approximately 60 buildings, some of which are listed with others not listed but historically architecturally significant.

"The application site is not listed but falls within the category of historically architecturally significant.

The application site is located at 17 Market Street Lane and takes up a prominent position being located at the corner of Market Street Lane and a side alleyway.

"It is a three-storey red brick building with ashlar red gritstone dressings and gives considerable character to the street scene.

"Ashlar gritstone stringcourses run between floor levels, whilst a gritstone cornice defines the roofline.

"Large segmental arched windows are located at ground floor level whilst rectangular sash windows punctuate the second and third storeys.

"Entry into the building is via an angled corner bay which is surmounted by a decorative pediment.

"We cannot categorically state when the application site became a public house but in 1848 it was noted as being a relieving officers' office.

"When viewed form Market Street Lane and Mincing lane the proposals will not affect the external appearance of the application site.

"All works are proposed either internally and to the rear which can only be viewed when private areas such as the rear yard which is shared by the surrounding buildings."