PART of an historic row in Burnley could be converted into apartments under fresh ‘town centre living’ proposals.

Surveyors firm AJP is looking to turn the old register office and county education offices, at the corner of Nicholas Street and Grimshaw Street, into 18 high-end units.

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Council bosses are keen to promote the concept of more residents within the Burnley town centre boundaries, with developments on Bank Parade and Parker Lane being advanced.

And the grade II listed buildings, constructed in 1869 and rebuilt in 1927, and once home to Burnley Building Society, are seen as another prime site.

Planning agent Matthew Wyatt said: “The conversion of the site will allow for 18 one-bedroom units across the ground, first and second floors.

“The basement will be utilised as storage for occupants and any building maintenance equipment.”

The developers are warning that the fact the building has remained vacant for so long is gradually undermining the wider ambitions for the landmark, a section of which has begun to suffer from wet rot.

County education officials vacated part of the building in 2006 and the town’s register office, now based in Todmorden Road, has not been there since 2009.

Several expressions of interest have been made in the location in recent years, with the most promising coming in 2010. But the repairs issue was cited as an obstacle by potential investors, even then.

Mr Wyatt added: “The lack of maintenance of the buildings, as well as general activity and footfall in the area, is harmful not just to the buildings but also the setting of designated heritage assets.”

Inside the building, much of the original layout character is said to have been lost. But the exterior, which looks out onto the Place de Creil and Peace Garden, are regarded as the reasons for its listing.

Brian Hobbs, chairman of Burnley Chamber of Trade, said: “We have got to get people back living in town centres if they are going to be successful. It helps to create so many other economies.”

The borough council now has a strategy which looks to regenerate principal locations for housing, and has recently relaunched the town centre partnership, to further promote the ideal.

Council bosses were also recently given the go-ahead to move forward, with partners, to introduce housing to part of the Weavers’ Triangle district. The authority is now using a £160,000 grant from the Homes and Communities Agency to clear the land.