A former bank building in a Victorian town centre has been earmarked for a new shop and two flats.

The Lloyds branch in Duckworth Street was the last in Darwen when it shut its doors in February 2022 because of declining customer numbers,.

Now Naviya Ltd want to give it new life as ground floor retail premises with two apartments - one each on the first and second floors.

Supporting statements submitted with a planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council by Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd say:"The former bank premises is within Darwen town centre and has been vacant for some time.

"The applicant seeks to put the vacant commercial floor space to effective use through a conversion to retail at the ground floor and two flats above.

"The proposal will make a positive contribution towards local housing land supply in times of chronic under supply of homes nationally.

"The proposed development will also create an active frontage and will promote consumer choice in the locality, adding to the vibrancy of Darwen’s town centre and creating jobs for local people.

"The additional dwellings will also generate additional income for the local authority in additional council tax revenue.

"Lloyds bank announced the closure of its Darwen branch due to declining visits in 2021.

"New figures show that more than one in eight bank branches in the UK that were open in January will be closed by the end of this year.

"The former bank premises is within Darwen town centre and has been vacant for some time.

"The property is a mid-terraced building comprising a ground floor former banking hall with basement storage.

"The site is located within the designated Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area.

"The conservation area comprises the commercial core of the town with the railway line forming the eastern boundary.

"Duckworth Street, in which the application site is located, has a smaller scale feel characterised by modest stone-built two-storey buildings with ground floors shops which predate the railway.

"Many have been altered with modern shop fronts and new windows and bear little resemblance to their former early Victorian character.

"There are no external modifications required.

"The proposal is considered sustainable economic development and will create new jobs.

"Any proposals which provide new work opportunities and sustainable economic development ought to be looked upon favourably in towns with higher-than-average levels of unemployment and welfare dependency, such as Blackburn with Darwen."

.Blackburn with Darwen Council is considering the plan and will make a decision in due course.