Plans are in the pipeline to turn a historic building, which has been used for a training centre, in Bury into several house in multiple occupation (HMO flats.

A change-of-use application has been lodged with the council to convert premises at Heaton House on Brierley Street, which dates back to the late 1870s, into six HMO flats holding a total of 23 bedrooms.

The proposals, submitted by Heaton House (Bury) Ltd, state that the “main part of the building functioned as a house until the late 20th century when it was used as a photographic studio and later a training facility”.

"The building is considered to be a non-designated heritage asset given its local importance as a historical building", the plans say.

Planning consent for a similar application was given the go-ahead four years ago but the proposals did not go ahead “due to the internal works not being in accord with the approved drawings”.

But the “external operational development was implemented and therefore permission remains in extant perpetuity”, a planning document states.

The applicant has argued that traffic would not be a problem if the plans were given the green light.

Bury Times: Heaton House in BuryHeaton House in Bury

The plans state: “It is highly likely that habitants of the proposed HMOs are unlikely to be owners/user of private motorcars, given the very nature of a HMO.

“The site is located close to public service routes and within walking distance of the local centre.

“There may be scope/justification for an increase in cycle storage provision given the nature of the intended use and the applicant is more than willing to consider such as part of the application process.

“Similarly, an increase in bin storage, given the proposed use, may also be a matter to be considered by the local authority as part of the application process.”

A neighbourhood consultation for the plans, which were published online by the council last week, runs until Friday, July 1.