Derelict Wigan borough library to be transformed into apartments, cinema room and gym

Seven apartments will be constructed alongside a cinema room and communal gym as well as a cycle store and bin space.

There will be a two-bedroom flat on the ground floor and six one-bedroom apartments covering the upper two floors.

Applicant Ryan Wrigley believes the building will "benefit greatly” from this development work and “improve the character of the area”.

A planning statement from the applicant said: “The building has long been vacant, the property is in poor shape and will benefit greatly from being re-used.

"The property will be repaired as a result of the works proposed.”

The site itself is mere minutes away from the town centre embedded in a heavily residential area.

"It is hoped this would satisfy the “shortage of housing” in Wigan.

A previous proposal sought permission for an 19-bed HMO (house of multiple occupation) but the developer listened to the senior planning officer and redesigned his scheme to produce self-contained apartments.

This was to help meet the “need” for self-contained housing in the area.

“On balance, the proposed works are considered acceptable to ensure the building is brought back into optimum use,” a planning report said.

“To ensure the development respects the general character of the area, a condition will be imposed to secure materials used in the external restoration works and modifications of the building.”

After discussions, the application was approved by Wigan Council’s planning committee.