NINE new apartments could be created in Heaton if councillors approve plans for a detached Victorian home.

Thorn Lea in Chorley New Road could receive a makeover including a two-storey rear and side extension as part of the process to turn it into flats.

The current owner of the property, Mr R Townsend, is looking to sell in order to downsize and has applied for planning permission in an effort to sell the property to a developer.

Documents submitted with the planning application show Thorn Lea has been up for sale for more than four years and upkeep was becoming “onerous”.

Officers have recommended that councillors approve the plans at the meeting on Thursday.

Initially, applicant Mr R Townsend, had been looking to create 11 apartments on the site but following discussions with the council’s planning department this was scaled down.

The design was also altered to fit in better with the design of the house, which dates from 1870, and the Chorley New Road Conservation Area, which the property sits in.

The gated access to the property would remain in place in the plans and an area of “grasscrete” would be created for parking. The applications also says no trees would be removed.

Four letters of objection to the plans have been submitted by neighbours. Concerns include impacting the character of the area, an increase in traffic and an increase in noise.

One commenter raised concerns about “what kind of people will be living there”. Though officers noted this is not a planning consideration.