WORK to convert the former Lancashire Telegraph offices in the heart of Blackburn into flats is nearing completion.

The first tenants are due into the flats in June and revised plans have been submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council to increase the number of apartments from 66 to 68.

And Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said the development could be a “game-changer” for the town centre.

Cllr Riley added: “I’m really excited about the prospect of the introduction of some town centre living. It will change the way people see Blackburn and the town centre.

“Having people living in the town centre means there will be a ready-made audience for the bars and restaurants there now and hopefully attract more to the area.”

Cllr Riley added he understood the developers had received a lot of interest from people keen to live in the development.

The new proposal includes two extra ground floor flats with the layout and number of units at lower ground, first and second floor remaining unchanged.

A spokesman for Empire Property Concepts confirmed the main block is on course to be ready by June. The spokesman added: “The anticipated build cost is £2.6million minimum.”

In a statement submitted as part of the application, Lynne Sadler of DLP Consultants, said: “Residents will have access to car parking facilities, with 60 car parking spaces provided within the basement of the property and external yard.

“A bin storage area is to be provided in the external yard and the underground car parking facility has sufficient room to accommodate cycle parking if required.

“No external alterations are proposed as part of the development although the existing windows will “be replaced like for like.

An application was submitted last year to build 66 flats with car parking spaces in the four-storey Railway Road building, known as Newspaper House.

Developers said the move will aid the regeneration of the area with the building located opposite the £34m landmark Cathedral Square complex.

With ‘city living’ high on the agenda, Blackburn with Darwen Council welcomed the plans which they hope will boost the night-time economy.

The building was sold for £850,000 to Doncaster-based Empire last year.

The flats will be one to two bedroomed for private sale or rental aimed at young working professionals. Bosses hope the location next to the train station will make the development attractive for people commuting out of town for work to places like Manchester, as well as for those who work in Blackburn.

Managing director Paul Rothwell said the firm was keen to respect the identity of the building, including keeping the name and the adjacent historic Roman spring.

The All Hallows Spring between the Adelphi pub and Newspaper House, believed to have been the site of a Roman temple and a place of medieval ‘pilgrimage and healing’ which eventually led to the development of the cathedral, has been retained as part of the development.

Empire has also transformed office blocks into flats across Yorkshire including in Doncaster and Wakefield.