AN EMPTY office block could be transformed into luxury apartments as part of a 70-home town centre development.

Dublin-based developer Ideal Site Ltd wants to add two storeys of penthouse flats to Victoria house in Bradshawgate and build two new apartment buildings on car parking at its rear.

Other town centre apartments are already planned in Bradshawgate.

Developers Urban Splash are involved in talks to demolish a neighbouring building which was formerly home to a cinema and more recently Laser Quest.

It follows the granting of outline planning permission for 85 apartments on the site in 2000.

Cllr Ansar Hussain, who represents the Great Lever ward on Bolton Council, welcomed the proposals.

But he warned that urban living had so far been a lot less successful in Bolton than it had in other town and cities, such as Manchester.

He said: "It is important to encourage people to live in the town centre, but unfortunately the take-up on similar developments has been slow.

"I think the council needs to undertake research to discover where urban living is failing in Bolton."

The Victoria House development will be considered by the planning committee within the next six weeks.

The office block will be increased in height from five to seven storeys which would give occupants of the penthouse apartments some of the best views in town.

And new five and four-storey blocks will be created either side of Silverwell Lane.

Many of the other flats will be fitted with balconies overlooking Bradshawgate and the surrounding streets.

Bolton town centre manager Cathy Savage said urban living should be encouraged.

"It is great because many people have a false perception that the town centre isn't safe and the more people living there, the more comfortable people feel," she said.

"It also encourages businesses such as restaurants into the town."

No-one at Ideal Site Limited was available for comment.