An East Lancashire town centre could get 14 more flats for young professionals in a building once home to a flagship public house.

Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd has submitted an application for the conversion of the top three floors of the former Thwaites House on the corner of Railway Road and Church Street, Blackburn, into apartments.

The one, two and three-bedroomed flats would be aimed at young professionals.

The application for the Victorian building - once Thwaites Brewery's The White Bull Hotel - is the latest of several to turn older buildings in Blackburn town centre into residential apartments.

A supporting statement with the planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council prepared by Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd on behalf of an unnamed client says: "The applicant seeks to bring forward a good quality residential scheme.

Lancashire Telegraph: The entrance to the White Bull Hotel in 1903The entrance to the White Bull Hotel in 1903

"The re-use of the underutilised office accommodation would comprise sustainable development.

"The restrictions on office-based working due to Covid-19 have made businesses rethink the space they need, with nearly half of UK enterprises with office space planning to shrink their estates within the next five years.

"The application site relates to the first, second and third floors of Thwaites House, Railway Road, within the town centre of Blackburn and within the designated Cathedral Conservation Area.

"The building has most recently been used as offices before March 29 2013.

"Consent is sought for the conversion of the first, second and third floors of the building to residential comprising of 14 apartments.

"There are no external alterations proposed to the building’s façade.

’A suitable mix of apartments will be delivered, suitable for young professionals and persons seeking affordable accommodation close to the town centre.

"The town’s main bus interchange and train station are located within walking distance.

"The town centre has a number of apartments in very similar locations.

"The proposed internal layout would ensure that units have a satisfactory outlook and good levels of natural light.

"The proposal would see the re-use of a prominent vacant property which has remained vacant for some time.

"The applicant confirms that the building has been on the market, with little interest shown by office users.

"Proposals for residential developments not in the form of traditional terraced housing (of which there is an over-supply of within Blackburn), should be looked up on favourably.

"Additional dwellings will support the vitality of local shops and services as well as generate increased footfall in the town centre."