Part of a three-storey parade of shops, a currently unused takeaway and a pub in a town centre could be revamped to include four new flats.

Proposals have been submitted to planners for the refurbishment of the property in Northgate, Blackburn, opposite King George's Hall.

They would see the vacant premises of the former Caesar Pizza House brought back into use and four one-bed self-contained studio flats created in the upper two floors, and a new extension.

The flats would be aimed at young professionals.

Zahir Mahmood Baz has applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for planning permission for the conversion of the first and second floors to two studio flats, and has proposed a three-storey rear extension to form an additional two studio flats in the upper floors.

His application also proposed the retention of the hot food takeaway on the ground floor with a new rear kitchen extraction flue and alterations to the shop front.

A supporting statement from the Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd says: "The application site comprises a three-storey, mid-terraced property located within the town centre of Blackburn, which features a ground floor hot food takeaway use with living accommodation to the upper floors.

"The applicant seeks to put the underutilised upper floor spaces to effective use, one that makes a valuable contribution towards local housing land supply during times of chronic undersupply of homes nationally.

"Moreover, there is much local market demand for the type of living units being proposed.

"The site is considered to be a highly-sustainable and suitable location for residential development whilst the proposal would put to use a prominent property which has stood vacant for some time.

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

"The immediate area is characterised by commercial ground floor uses with upper floor residential. The site is adjoined by a public house and a newsagents.

"King Georges Hall is Grade II listed and is located opposite the application site.

"Consent is sought for the conversion of the upper floors to two self-contained flats alongside a rear extension to provide an additional two flats thus the creation of four flats in total.

"The proposed double-storey rear extension would be constructed of matching materials to the host building and would feature a pitched roof with a symmetrical fenestration arrangement.

"The extraction flue is to serve the existing hot food takeaway on the ground floor."