PLANS have been drawn up seeking to turn town centre offices into flats. 

An application for the conversion of commercial offices on the first and second floor of 10-12 Hardshaw Street, St Helens, to create four flats, have been drawn up.

The proposed works also include a two-storey infill extension. 

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Applicant Ian Pitts, who owns a number of properties in the town centre, has submitted the bid to St Helens Council planners.

The plans are on standard consultation to the public until Thursday, August 29. 

A decision is expected by council planners by September 26.

Increasing numbers of buildings, including unused office space and empty retail units, in the town centre are being converted to residential.

Regeneration planners have identified the need to increase the number of people living in the town centre as being important to the area's long-term future.