PLANS to convert the Academy building into apartments have been given the green light by Warrington Borough Council.

One of the town’s most iconic buildings, the Bridge Street site is set to be turned into 22 one-bedroom supported accommodation flats.

Previously home to the Warrington Guardian, the offices have been empty since the paper's move to Centre Park in June 2016.

Warrington Guardian:

And the council has now granted planning permission for developer Homelife to 'bring back a sustainable use for a vacant building'.

The grade two-listed building had previously been on sale for £1.6million and dates back to the 1750s.

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Homelife's application stated that the proposal, which includes a communal area and 14 car parking spaces, will 'redevelop a currently underutilised site'.

Warrington Borough Council gave its consent for the scheme on Tuesday, February 19.