Plans for Shawforth offices to be turned into apartments

Brian Paterson lodged proposals with Rossendale Council seeking to change the building at Millgate, Market Street, Shawforth from offices into five one-bed flats and seven two-bed flats.

The building was originally a Methodist Church built in 1887 and it was converted into offices in 1997.

A planning statement reads: “The main design philosophy is to work within the existing envelope and to have minimal impact on the external appearance of the existing building, provide external entrances with level access to apartments where possible and create generous, flexible spaces, which, where possible can take advantage of the pleasant outlook.

“The proposed apartments will be contained within the existing building and the proposed car parking spaces are to be accommodated on land adjacent to the building.

“Due to the gradient of the site, five of the apartments are provided with external entrances.

“The remaining seven apartments are accessed via internal entrances off the communal circulation space.

“The proposed apartments are to be contained within the existing building and therefore the scale of the proposed scheme is to have no impact on the surrounding location in terms of building volume.

“An area of grass will be lost to allow for car parking, however due the semi-rural location and the amount of greenery in the immediate area, the impact of this is considered to be minimal.

“The proposed development would use the existing drop kerb to access the site and then enter the proposed new car park at the side of the building.

“There will be a further two spaces provided at the rear of the building, along with a final two spaces being provided at the opposite side to the car park which will be accessed off Market Street via a new drop kerb.”

The application says there are currently three car parking spaces available, with an additional seven to be created.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application can do so via Rossendale Council’s website.