A FORMER bank could be converted to a new bar and cafe.

A planning application has been submitted to Rossendale Council by applicant Catherine Chadwick to convert the Barclays Bank building, which closed down in January 2014.

The bar and cafe would be situated in the ground floor and basement of the building in Deardengate, Haslingden.

Residential accommodation in the upper floors of the building will remain.

Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, backed the bid.

She said: "Increasingly there are more bars and cafes opening up across towns in Rossendale.

"So it's good to see a building not used for some time to be brought back into use for the benefit of the town."

But a resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said they were concerned about rubbish and problems with parking which could stem from the development.

She said: "I'd be concerned that where they put the bins would be in an area used by residents.

"I've also seen the planning application and it mentions about no commercial waste being produced from the development, yet it's a cafe, so surely there would be?

"There is also no provision for parking which could be a problem."

Planning documents on behalf of the applicant said they intend to provide a bin store at the back of the building in an area used by all neighbouring properties for bins.

The documents said there will not be any car parking associated with the application.

However, they said some restricted parking (30 minutes) is available on Pleasant Street and Deardengate.

They added that there are at least two public car parks available within 'close proximity and convenient walking distance from the town centre.'

The former Barclays Bank closed despite concern from residents about the effect its closure would have on the town centre.

Concerns were also raised about elderly people having problems with transport and not having access to online banking.