A former family home in the heart of Preston’s historic Avenham and Winckley Square are is set to become a block of flats.

The conversion of 15 Latham Street into five appartments will continue the changing face of what was once the place to live for the wealthy families during the industrial revolution.

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Latham Street, already being used as three flats, is a listed building but PJE Properties have applied to make it into self-contained flats.

Research into the building shows it was the family home of the Lawson’s, who ran a tailors on Fishergate into the early 1920s, before the property passed through their family.

An architect report states: “The principal evidential value of the building lies in it being part of the once fashionable Avenham residential area. As with a number of buildings within the locality, particularly those within close proximity of Avenham Walk and Park, the property provides evidence of the economic success of Preston through the industrial revolution and the standard of living aspired to by the town’s wealthiest inhabitants.”

The building is within the Avenham Conservation Area which seeks to protect the character of the area due to its historic significance.

The full plans for 15 Latham Street can be seen on the council website.

Anyone wishing to comment on the plans can write to the council at devcon@preston.gov.uk quoting reference 06/2013/0064 by Wednesday 6 March 2013.