AN expert survey has insisted residents living at Burnley’s prospective latest town centre property project will not be affected by a nearby clock tower.

Work is already underway to convert the former Ashworth House, in Manchester Road, once home to Endsleigh Insurance, into 59 apartments.

But borough planners, after granting planning permission last year, asked for an acoustic study to be carried out.

Not only is the five-storey complex on one of the main roads into the town centre but it is also opposite Burnley Town Hall, which comes complete with its own clock tower.

Acoustics expert Geoffrey Venus believes the possible noise generated by passing traffic would be more of a burden than the chiming of the clock, which dates back to 1888.

And even then, in a report, he says the effect on would-be residents from passing cars and any passing shoppers or night-time revellers could be offset by minimum levels of soundproofing.

Mr Venus said: “The most significant noise source affecting the proposed development during the measurement period was road traffic. Other noise sources included retail units and the chiming of a clock tower bell.”

There are less than a handful of residential developments within the town centre area at the moment.

The former Cattle Market pub, at the corner of Elizabeth Street and Parker Lane, has been converted into flats and the same process has been undertaken with the old Steele, Ford and Newton offices next door.

Plans have also been unveiled to transform offices in Bethesda Street into 52 apartments.

Other landmark buildings like the old education and register office in Nicholas have also been pinpointed as possible locations for ‘town centre living’ applications.

Cllr Mark Townsend, council leader, said: “We are actively supporting town centre living as part of our master plan.”