A former betting shop which has been left empty for more than five years could be turned into two one-bedroom flats with space for retail on the ground floor.

Miroslaw Friedberg of JM Capital Properties Ltd applied to Pendle Council to change of use of 7-9 Newtown, Barnoldswick, from a betting office into two self-contained flats on the first floor and mixed retail use services on the ground floor.

The application also includes plans to reconstruct the entrance to the first floor and retain the chimneys.

According to the proposals, the building that previously housed the William Hill betting office has been abandoned and decaying for years, since around 2017, and currently has no use.

A planning statement reads: “There is a proposal for the windows to be changed on the first-floor level to accommodate new flats on the first floor.

“Existing main doors will be allocated to the retail service on the ground floor.

“The existing doors will be repainted black.

“The historical entrance to the staircase to the first floor will be reconstructed, and new timber doors with a design that matches the existing main entrance will be painted black.

“Window frames on the ground floor are to be painted black.

“There will be allocated space for bikes and bins on the back of the property with access from Market Street.

“This proposal is also an excellent opportunity to bring back to use an abandoned building within the central part of Barnoldswick located in Barnoldswick Conservation Area, which can improve the local area and provide needed accommodation and employment for residents.”

Anyone wishing to comment on the plans has until November 23 to do so.