A VACANT office block will be transformed into 90 flats — despite the scheme being described as “a cross between a prison and a battery farm”.

Bolton Council planning chiefs have given approval for Cringle Co Ltd’s multi-million pound conversion of Lincoln House, in Great Lever.

The Nelson Street building will host 18 two-bedroom and 38 one-bedroom flats, as well as 34 studio apartments.

Permission for a change of use was granted in line with the officer’s recommendation, despite some units falling short of national internal space standards.

Concerns were raised about the standard of accommodation being offered. But the majority of committee members felt they had no choice but to wave the plans through under the current planning laws.

However, Cllr Zoe Kirk-Robinson, who voted against the scheme, passionately argued against the proposals.

She said: “It is far too high-density for the space provided and it’s quite clear that the units fall short of national standards.

“I don’t believe that this will add to housing supply very quickly should outweigh the fact these are very small spaces.”

The Conservative added: “I don’t believe we should be asking people to live in places that are too small just because we have not good enough houses. I don’t think we have reached that level yet.”

But Labour’s Cllr Nick Peel said the committee was hamstrung by planning policy changes brought in by the government, citing the 2013 permitted development rights.

He added: “I’m not a huge fan of studio apartments — or bedsits — but we have got to be realistic and understand the demand out there from different income types and different types of people for a different mixture of housing to be provided.”

Tory councillor Bob Allen said the plans did not quite fall within “permitted development” but fell so close a refusal would not withstand an appeal.”

And Cllr Debbie Newall told the meeting.

She said: “I feel quite torn, because I have looked at the plans and I just think they are awful. It looks like a cross between a a prison and some kind of battery farm. But we are where we are with our housing needs.”