A PLANNING application to convert a town centre building into flats has been submitted.

Proposals to convert the first and second floors, and the atticof Publication House at Bradshawgate in Leigh town centre have been drawn up.

Plans include for one one-bed one person apartment/studio; one one-bed two-person apartment; one two-bed/ three-person apartment and five two-bed four-person apartments.

A design and access Statement has been drawn up by Gbolade Design Studio, on behalf of the applicant, Iveagh Properties Ltd.

It states: "The building is mixed use comprising of commercial use to the upper floors - no longer in use, and accommodates retail use to the ground floor.

"The site is bounded to its east and west by existing commercial and retail use buildings, forming part of the streetscape addressing Bradshawgate.

"An early pre-application consultation with Wigan Council confirmed that the change of use from the non-operational commercial space to residential use was acceptable in planning terms. Specifically, Leigh has been marked, through the Leigh Town Centre vision, to contribute towards providing 10,000 new homes over the next 10 years (across the borough).

"This proposal therefore looks to provide much-needed housing in the town centre – with Leigh having the second largest population in the

borough".

The plans add: "The proposal has been informed by the existing uses in the area, and the applicant does not believe the addition of the proposed nine residential units adds significantly to the intensification of area.

"Due to the state of the existing building and its site context, all proposed works are to be to the internal parts of the building only.

"We do not believe that the conversion of the defunct commercial building will cause detrimental harm to the neighbouring area, nor have an impact upon the setting of the adjacent Grade II Listed Building (George and Dragon pub)."

The statement also says: "We believe this amount is suitable for the size of the building, and does not result in an over-development of the scheme.

"A mix of apartment sizes has been incorporated for variety, and to encourage a more diverse community of users."

Plans are on public consultation until Friday, November 13.