Developers have insisted plans to convert a building in Bolton town centre into apartments will not change its character.

IYG Enterprise Limited wants to change the Market Street site which was last used as a retail an office spot.

If approved, the plans would lead to two new self-contained apartments being created.

The site is within the Deansgate Conversion Area.

It was first included in the Town Centre Conversion area in 1987 but this was later broken down into three other spots of Deansgate, Town Hall and St George's in 1996.

The property has a retail unit on the ground floor but the first and second floors have been vacant for ten years.

They were previously used for retail purposes.

Both of the apartments proposed would be two bedrooms and an internal refurbishment would take place before this can go ahead.

A design and access statement has been prepared.

It says the character of the building will not be changed.

It said: "The application site consists of a three storey building which has retail on the ground floor, which is to remain as existing and unaltered.

"The exterior of the property will undergo a full refurbishment with no changes proposed to the front Market Street elevation other than a fresh repaint of the decorative frontage and existing windows. 

"The proposal plans have been carefully prepared to minimise and external alteration and to utilise all the existing openings.

"The only external change proposed other than the repainting of the external front wall is the creation of a new doorway to the first floor rear  and side elevation to serve the first floor apartment."

The plans added: "With the full refurbishment proposed the property will add to the character of the area and provide an overall improvement to the surrounding residential property and the street scene."