PLANS have been submitted to convert a large Victorian property in  Bury into a children’s home.

The vacant building, around a mile north of the town centre on Walmersley Road, is classed as a non-designated heritage asset.

Stockport-based Better Care for Future Ltd now wishes to use it for a home for four children.

A planning report lodged with Bury Council says if that is approved, the home will create eight jobs with two full-time and two-part time staff working there on two shifts.

A design and access statement, produced on behalf of the applicant, states: “The application proposes a change of use from house to four-bed children’s home at 223 Walmersley Road.

“It is a semi-detached three storey property that appears to be in residential use.

“The property is located on a corner plot on the junction of Walmersley Road and Birley Street and has bay frontages.

“The surrounding area is characterized by mixture of traditional semi-detached and terrace properties.

“The site benefits from being within an established commercial and residential community.

“It is within easy walking distance of the town centre, post offices post boxes, convenience stores, main bus routes, schools, parks and leisure facilities.

“It is therefore a highly sustainable location for proposed change of use.”

The report adds that residential placements for children were needed in Bury.

It said: “Of significant benefit is the provision of much needed places for the local community.

“This will improve the appearance of both the site and the street scene.”

A heritage report was has also been produced to assess the impact of the change of use on the Victorian built property.

The report, said: “The owner of the property has had it confirmed through a planning application response that the building is considered to be a building recognised as  a non-designated heritage asset which ordinarily should be contained within a local list held by the council.”

The report concluded: “The works proposed are modest in their scale in that the works don’t impact on any material harm to the building itself.

“They are informed, with an understanding and regard for the building, its context and significance.”

The application will be decided on by Bury Council at a date yet to be decided.