A FORMER primary school could be converted in to 28 new homes in Rossendale.

Proposals for the development at the vacant Waterfoot County Primary School, in Thornfield Avenue, have been resubmitted to Rossendale Council having been rejected last April.

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The school, which dates back to 1893, closed in January 2012 when it moved to a more modern site in nearby Wolfenden Green.

Rochdale-based Aktar Hussein, of Waterfoot Investments Ltd, has applied for permission to create six new-build houses and 22 flats on the land.

His previous bid to regenerate the area was rejected by the council’s development control committee last year because of an inadequate flood risk assessment and a lack of affordable properties.

In a design and access statement, Mr Hussein said a consultation event with Waterfoot residents had proved there was an appetite for change.

He said: “The broad consensus was positive and in support of the key aspects of the proposed development. The general feedback from the majority who attended in person was they were pleased the building was being retained and being converted to residential use and this is a much-needed development for the site and the area.”

The school was formerly two separate buildings housing a boys’ and a girls’ school, but they merged in the 1980s with a link corridor.

Mr Hussien said: “After discussions with the local authority and local residents, it became apparent that the building is of historic value to the town and should therefore be retained if possible. Accordingly, our plans incorporate retention of the existing building structure.”

Cllr Christine Lamb, the council’s portfolio holder for operational services and development control, said no one wanted the building to remain empty.

She said: “It’s a building that we do want to see back in use. It’s not doing anything at the moment.

“I do remember residents being against it last time but hopefully those problems are addressed with this resubmission.”

If permitted, 15 of the flats will be two bedroom and seven will be one bedroom, while there will be two, two bedroom and four, three bedroom houses.

Mr Hussien added: “By investing in the site and proposing a major restoration and redevelopment of the entire site, we are aiming to improve not just the site, but the community.

“We will be aiming to improve the look and maintenance of the area, create a design to reduce and prevent crime, encourage the use of local transport, invest in local parks and play equipment to benefit the community, create a sustainable development, expressing the potential for a development to other developers and demonstrating the future potential of Waterfoot as a regenerated town.”