BLACKBURN-based EP (Properties ) Ltd have revealed plans to create nine new storage units in Nelson's Lomeshaye Business Village.

The firm run by Zakir Issa, brother of the EG Group's bosses Mohsin and Zuber,has lodged two planning applications with Pendle Council.

EP Properties is currently involved in several projects in East Lancashire including converting the stables block at the former Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn town centre into 10 industrial units.

One application is for the conversion of the former Ecroyd Suite, which contains 24 offices, into to six individual storage units and the second to create three more in the former Lomeshaye Village Nursery premises.

A supporting statement for the first application from Urban Future Planning says: "The application site comprises the ground floor of the former Turner Mill, now known as the Ecroyd Suite.

"The demand for offices has been in decline since Covid-19 restrictions have forced many people to work remotely to mitigate the spread of the virus.

"But even after re-opening, a majority of employees prefer flexible arrangements to continue.

"Meanwhile, the global pandemic has created an e-commerce boom with the industrial and logistics sector looking at how it can address the surge in demand for space.

"Following a lack of demand for the office space at the application site, the applicant seeks to put the vacant space to effective use through a high-quality conversion to storage and distribution, creating six

units to be made available for new or existing local businesses.

"There is a huge demand for the type of commercial accommodation being proposed whereas there is a decline in the need for office space.

"The proposal would clearly make a much-needed contribution towards local employment land supply.

"The proposal involves the creation of six individual units. The upper floors of the former mill premises would retain its original façade"

The planning statement for the nursery premises says: "The applicant seeks to put the vacant space to effective use through a high-quality conversion to storage and distribution.

"The application proposal would see the removal of a busy nursery and its replacement with just three small units.

"The proposed commercial accommodation will provide for a local business need, will generate jobs and investment and put anunderutilised section of the property to effective use without resulting in

harm to the character and appearance of the setting and to the local highway network."