A FORMER pub which has been apart of Darwen's history for a 150-year old could be turned into flats.

The Prince of Wales Pub in Quaker Street in Darwen dates back to 1870.

Known locally as ‘The Singing Mouse’, the pub, which community leaders said had once been a fixture of the town, had become a hot spot for trouble.

Liverpool-based construction company owner Ian McLeod bought the building in August and said he will be turning it into six ‘high end’ flats but maintaining the original architecture.

He said: “They won’t be bed sits, they will be six separate high end flats with individual rooms and corridors.

“It’s going to be a lot of work. The building is in ruin even though it was a running pub up until recently.

“It’s a really nice building, we were originally looking out for land but then it caught our eye.

“Although it needs gutting we won’t be changing the outside, the structure will work well for the flats as we have the chance to save an old building.”

The application will be decided upon in January.

Scaffolding appeared around the building in September, sparking speculation amongst residents.

Sudell ward cllr Jane Oates said: “It’s a relief to know someone is doing something with it, but I still have concerns.

“It’s not a particularly good area and it had become really rough in its later years.

“People are worried it will become a house with multiple occupants.

“I have to think of the residents in my ward and they’re worried about the kind of people flats will attract.

“If they are genuine flats then fair enough, they will have to ensure that all the conditions of building flats are being met though.

Work has already begun on the building which Mr Mcleod hopes will be an asset to the area.

Mr McLeod said: “We are focussing on the roof at the moment, obviously we can’t start on anything inside until it’s water tight.

“The area of Olive Lane is fairly run down.

“We noticed there was quite a bit of litter around the area so we will be getting onto the council to see if we can get it cleared up.

“We’re hoping the flats will act as a catalyst and bring the area up.”