Plans to convert a Grade-II listed former industrial building into three homes have been approved.

The Old Printworks in Back York Street, Clitheroe, has been redundant for some time and will now have a new lease of life as three two-bedroom apartments.

It’s said the investment into repurposing the vacant building into residential use will “benefit this part of central Clitheroe” with the removal of “unsightly” former industrial features such as the metallic flue pipe.

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A planning statement submitted to Ribble Valley Borough Council said: “The proposed development seeks the change of use of the former light industrial use building that has become redundant into three dwellings as detailed in the submitted plans.

“The works include the demolition and rebuild of the existing brick extension which has fallen into disrepair and become dilapidated and unsafe due to water ingress.

“The two-bedroom apartments created at the ground, first, and second floor would exceed the minimum living space standards and have sufficient natural light in all habitable rooms.”

The statement also said how there will be significant investment to rebuild part of the building and conversion of the internal spaces.

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Neighbours contacted by the council to submit any representations seemed supportive of the plans to give the building a new lease of life but raised concerns about window placement if an adjacent property was to become a residential property again.

The council acknowledged this in their decision notice, saying two windows on the northern elevation and six on the eastern elevation should be fitted with obscure glazing and should be non-opening in order to “protect nearby neighbouring and residential amenity.”

Work on the site must begin within the three-year expiry period.

To view the plans in full, visit the council’s planning website.