Flats plan for landmark borough building

The 19th century Publication House, on Bradshawgate in Leigh, is currently largely vacant.

Dating back to around 1850, plans have now been lodged with Wigan Council to convert the first and second floors and attic into eight flats.

The building comprises ground floor retail and upper floor commercial spaces for offices.

Under the bid the commercial element to the building would be converted into flats while the retail use on the ground floor remains.

In a design and access statement on behalf of the applicant, Iveagh Properties Ltd, agent Gbolade Design Studio, said: “The application is only for the conversion of the commercial element to residential, while the retail use on the ground floor does not form part of the application.

“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 planning document said 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.

It said the proposal therefore looks to provide much-needed housing in the town centre – with Leigh having the second largest population in the borough.

Gbolade Design Studio added: “The proposal has been informed by the existing uses in the area, and the applicant does not believe the addition of the proposed residential units adds significantly to the intensification of area.

“The conversion of the building from commercial to residential development we believe contributes to the diverse mix of activities on the High Street as a whole, contributing positively to better socio-economic sustainability, and contributing to Wigan Borough Council’s ambition to have a vital and vibrant town centre.”