VICTORIAN villas just outside Bolton town centre are to be converted into flats.

The former office buildings on Chorley New Road. opposite Bolton School, are now allowed to be converted into 14 apartments after planners gave the go ahead.

An officer’s planning report said the plans, submitted by Healthbook Ltd, were compatible with the area.

The report gave context to the surrounding area.

It states: “The site consists of a pair of large semi-detached Victorian villas fronting Chorley New Road.

“This section of Chorley New Road is characterised by similar properties, many of which have been converted in a similar fashion.

“Some properties have been converted into commercial uses, in the main offices.

“Consent is sought to convert this pair of large semi-detached Victorian villas into 14 apartments.

“The external appearance would remain largely unchanged and the parking area at the rear would be retained.”

The villas are located close to two designated heritage assets, the Queens Park Conservation Area and Bolton School.

However planners concluded that ‘given the limited external changes and the lack of a close relationship, is not considered that the proposal will have any significant impact on these assets’.

The application originally proposed 15 units, of which one was a small studio apartment, significantly smaller than the national standards.

The applicant was asked to carry out an assessment and the result of this was that this unit was removed, resulting in 14 units, which are not now consistent with the national standards.

Some of the flats are in the basement, but planners said that ‘galleries’ proposed will allow light to permeate from the bay windows of the rooms above.

There will be on site car parking at the rear of the property for seven vehicles.

The report concluded: “The reuse of this vacant commercial building, itself originally a dwelling, for residential purposes in a sustainable location is considered to contribute to a number of planning objectives.

“No harm has been evidenced to outweigh these benefits.”

No objections were received to the plans.

Bolton Council approved the plans on May 5.