MORE people are set to live in Burnley town centre after proposals to convert office buildings into flats were approved.

The buildings, part of which are Grade II listed, are on Nicholas Street, Red Lion Street and Dugdale Street in the centre of Burnley.

Set within the town centre conservation area, they are set to be converted into a retail unit and nine apartments, a mix of both one and two-bedroom homes.

The site is on the corner of Nicholas Street and Red Lion Street next to the grade II listed National Westminster Bank.

All the other connected buildings are grade II listed.

The plans refer to nine apartments at ground, first and second floors with replacement of windows and roof lights.

Part of the development is three small town houses in a terraced row, which were built around 1850, which are now offices.

The rest of the spaces also offices.

No objections to the plans had been received prior to the council granting full planning permission in December.

Within the planning application, Concept Design Architects stated their intention to enhance the buildings and their heritage.

The report said: “The proposed works to the grade II listings are located within an area identified with retail units and residential lets.

The heritage assets considered are in a built up urban area. The works would not have a detrimental effect on these settings.

“The proposed works have been designed carefully to ensure that the elements of the settings of the heritage assets which make a positive contribution to their significance are retained.

“Through the use of appropriate design, it is considered that the proposed works would sustain and enhance the setting by replacing the existing windows and doors with new comparable with the style, character and form of the existing street, which will enhance the visual interest of the road and area.”

Burnley Councils executive member for regeneration is councillor Sue Graham.

Speaking recently about the strategy for the town centre she said that a priority was ‘encouraging housing in the town centre’.

She added: “We aim to create a choice of high quality town centre accommodation including an enhanced offer for the borough’s growing student population.”