A row of vacant houses and a shop could be set to be transformed into a new block of flats.

The three houses and a shop on Higher Market Street, Farnworth have been derelict for some time now but will be turned into a new space made up of 15 bedsit apartments with a management office, according plans lodged with Bolton Council.

The plans have been put forward as the area undergoes a redevelopment, which will see £13.3million spent on improving the area.

Newly elected Cllr Nadeem Ayub said: “This is something that’s been on the cards for a long time and shows that we’re moving ahead with our plans for Farnworth.

“There’s definetly a need for new housing in Farnworth and that’s what my focus is, to have local people benefiting from new housing and from redevelopment.

“That’s one of my key areas in is really what I came into politics for.”

The Bolton News:

The plans will see 15 bedsit flats built on Higher Market Street, Farnworth

All the buildings are currently unoccupied on the main site, having previously been used a retail space.

Cllr Ayub says he believes that people seeing new housing well help to instil public confidence in building plans for Farnworth more generally.

He said: “There’s been a bit of scepticism because regeneration has been talked about for such a long time, but the plans are good we just need to make sure they’re followed up.”

The Bolton News:

A view of the back of the houses 

Cllr Ayub says that he now hopes to follow this up by campaigning for further targeted investment in Farnworth and supporting the town centre masterplan.

Architecture firm Ochre Building Design have said in a statement that they believe the area is well suited for new housing given its closeness to transport links and to Royal Bolton Hospital and Farnworth Central Park, and that they hope their plans will benefit the area.

A statement said: “The refurbishment is intended to benefit the local community and the area as it is ideally located and is suitable to create the living accommodation with minimal disruption.

“The proposal enables a run-down building to be returned to full and refurbished use.”