FORMER council offices in Accrington could be converted into 12-bed assisted living centre for armed forces veterans.

Proposals have been submitted to Hyndburn Council to convert the offices on the corner of Eagle Street and Cannon Street, also formerly a bank, into 12 bedsits with an on-site warden.

The development would have communal kitchen and lounge areas as well as communal showers, toilets and laundry room.

The building was constructed in 1867 as the Manchester & Liverpool District Bank – the first commercial bank in Accrington.

But the proposed accommodation would be housed mainly in the 1988 extension to the grade-II listed building, when Hyndburn Council doubled the floor area at the rear.

Agent Steven Hartley, of Hartley Planning and Development Associates Ltd, said: "The former bank has, in more recent times been used for a variety of community uses.

"It has provided council offices and similar accommodation.

"This listed building is currently unused.

"The proposed development involves the change of use of only that part of the building which has been extended.

"No external changes are proposed other than space for bin storage.

"It is owned by the council.

"The proposal is to provide one residential unit for the assisted accommodation of ex-army personnel.

"Twelve bedsit units over the two floors of the extension are proposed plus communal kitchen/dining facilities with communal wc/showers and laundry facilities.

"There will be a warden service.

"The proposed development is being heavily supported by various charitable and other organisations.

"The proposed development is confined to the more modern extension which, internally has all the appearance of a modern office building.

"The historic elements of the building (which are confined to the floorspace other than the extension) are not to be altered.

"Similarly, apart from the proposed bin store, no external alterations are proposed."

Mr Hartley added if the proposal is approved and the development proves a success, it could be expanded into the remainder of the building.

He said: "The proposed change of use will have a neutral impact on the listed building.

"Nevertheless, bringing it back into use for a social purpose which is reflective of the borough’s association with the army and the Accrington Pals will have a public benefit."

Council conservation officer, David Morris, said: "The 1850s to the 1930s was Accrington’s golden age of architecture. The town’s centre

and its finest buildings were all created in this period and little has appeared since.

"Unlike the town centres of Blackburn, Burnley and Nelson, this architectural legacy was not ravaged by 1960s and 70s clearance and rebuilding.

"Instead, the Arndale Shopping Centre was built to one side of the town centre so that, today, Accrington has the most architecturally coherent and beautiful Victorian centre of East Lancashire and a conservation area that was designated as ‘outstanding’.

"The Eagle Street bank was designed in the Venetian Gothic style, something which sets it apart from all other major bank buildings in the town which were Italianate, after the town hall. The architect is presently unknown but the Eagle Street design is of a very high quality, so a national figure cannot be ruled out.

"It is possible that it was designed by Alfred Waterhouse (1830-1905), the Gothic architect of Manchester Town Hall and Natural History Museum, London.

"He is known to have designed banks for the Manchester and Liverpool District Bank including Nantwich in 1863 and, after his practice moved from Manchester to London in 1865, Southport in 1879."