PLANS to renovate the former Warrington Art Collegiate school on Museum Street have been approved by council planners.

Property firm Immedilet, based on Rylands Street, and developer Priestley Homes have got the nod from the council to convert the college into 18 apartments.

Nine of these will be one-bed properties, with the other nine being two-bed flats.

Last year, Immedilet director Danny Inman told the Warrington Guardian: "[The] town centre is ripe with development opportunities without needing to sacrifice greenbelt land.

"Renovating existing buildings is an ideal way to improve the quantity and quality of residential homes in the area, positioning Warrington as a desirable alternative to larger, surrounding cities.

Building work is set to be carried out by Leeds’ Priestly Construction, with chief executive Nathan Priestley adding in 2019: "The town is subject to major regeneration plans and is fast becoming one of the north west's most desirable places to live, work and visit.

Warrington Guardian:

How the flats could look

"Our plans ensure that the external aesthetics remain the same, with new features complementing the existing properties.

Approval is a major step forward in the groups’ £5.3million scheme, which also includes the partial demolition of the existing structure to the rear of the building, which will be replaced by a new three storey rear extension.

It’s not the first time the groups have applied for permission, with a 2018 application to create 20 flats on the same site being withdrawn by the developers.

Warrington Guardian:

The scheme also includes a separate plan to convert the old post office building into an aparthotel above Grill on the Square and the Lounge.

However those proposals have run into some opposition, with concerns over ventilation, drainage, and noise being raised by residents.