Plans have been submitted to turn a vacant, former residential care home into two apartments.

Mr A&D Riley has applied to Rossendale Council for permission to change the former Miller House Residential Home in Burnley Road, Crawshawbooth, into one two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment.

A planning statement lodged with the application states that the building was originally two dwellings and was later converted to a care home which involved alterations.

After ceasing to operate as a care home, and after the owners failed to garner interest from local organisations to take on the building, it became apparent that remaining as a care facility was no longer a viable option.

The premises has therefore been vacant for some time with the only remaining option being to convert it back into two homes.

The planning statement reads: “The application is to change the use of the empty building to two self-contained residential apartments.

“A two-bedroom apartment would occupy the ground floor and a three-bedroom apartment would occupy the first and second floor.

“Parking for two cars is available to the rear of the property on the upper yard area but the former occupants relied on street parking and the use of the many public car park areas in the close vicinity to the property.

“The owners of this property have attempted to retain the current use by approaching local organisations to take on the building long term but the type of property in its position and condition is no longer of interest.

“The uses for this large building have been considered and the only viable option was to convert the building back to two dwellings which are in demand in this area.

“The proposals would involve a full internal refurbishment to upgrade the building to current building regulation standards.

“This building has been empty for a long time, allowing it to fall into a state of dilapidation requiring a full refurbishment with new services within the building to deliver modern environmental friendly and energy efficient accommodation.

“This application provides an opportunity for this building within the village setting to be protected and the original historical look to be preserved for future generations.

“I feel this application meets the requirements of local planning policy and should be strongly supported.”

The plans were registered on December 12 and anyone wishing to comment can do so via Rossendale Council’s website.