HOUSING bosses are moving in on two former neighbours to create a landmark headquarters building in Burnley.

Borough landlord Calico is looking to create an £88million joint venture company to bid for housebuilding and maintenance deals across the north-west.

And the Croft Street based group, which is looking to create dozens of new jobs, has ambitions to expand close to home.

Plans have been unveiled to take over the former Litten Tree pub, underneath their Centenary Court offices, to form a new reception and offices.

Behind their current home, they are also bidding to convert the former Walmsley’s furniture store, at Gunsmith Place, into extra office space.

Planning agent John Sharples said in a report: “The proposal will involve the creation of a new reception and offices within the existing public house and the conversion of the existing reception of Calico Homes to form new office space.”

The group owns 4,500 properties, mainly in Burnley and Pendle, but announced earlier this year it wanted to branch out.

An initial marketing exercise has led to expressions of interest from companies from across the housebuilding market.

The candidates will be whittled down to a shortlist before a successful partner is announced later this year.

Once the chosen bidder is identified, the partner will also help the landlord to maintain and refurbish its own stock, which includes the Elizabeth Street hostel and sheltered housing.