A decaying former pub has been earmarked for a new shop with an apartment above it.

Umer Zubair has applied for planning permission the turn The Swan public house in Bolton Road, Darwen into a retail unit on the ground floor with an upper floor flat.

He proposes to convert the premises, vacant since 2020, into a convenience store for nearby residents.

In 2023 the building was approved to become four one-bedroom flats, including the installation of a new front door and window.

A design and access statement prepared by Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd submitted with the application to Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "The sight of a boarded up public house is all too common with approximately eight public houses closing every day in the UK.

"The former Swan Public House ceased trading in 2020 and has stood vacant ever since. Parts of the building have begun to fall into a state of disrepair.

"Notwithstanding sustained marketing attempts the site has remained vacant since 2020 with no interest shown for the re-use of the site as a public house.

"The applicant has considered a number of re-use options for the building but in terms of suitability and viability, considers a mixed-use retail / residential scheme as the most appropriate form of development.

"It comprises a vacant public house located along the main road running through the town of Darwen. The two-storey property fronts the A666 Bolton Road and featured a bar and seating areas on the ground floor with a flat above.

"Terraced dwellings adjoin and surround to all four sides.

"The local plan recognises small-scale shopping provision - whether in the form of individual shops, small groups of shops or shopping parades - has traditionally played an important role in meeting households’ day-to-day needs, particularly in the older residential parts of the borough.

"The applicant seeks to bring to fruition a small retail unit to meet local needs (reflected in the size of the unit which would be just 110 square metres).

"Whilst it is acknowledged the site is not located within a designated centre, given the size and scale of the proposal it will not jeopardise the vitality of Darwen town centre located over 1.5 miles from the site.

"The introduction of a retail unit at ground floor level would result in job creation for local people and sustainable economic development and promote consumer choice within the locality."