A 19th century building in Clayton-le-Moors is set to be refurbished to make it ‘more sustainable’.

Bosses at Mercer House have submitted plans to Hyndburn council to re-roof the Grade II-listed building and provide new office space on the second floor level.

The building is controlled by the non-profit social enterprise group Mercer House 1842 Ltd since they received control from the council several years ago.

Director and ward councillor Nick Collingridge said: “We have got a firm of architects who have come up with a design to turn what was the old servants’ quarters in the attic into office space and they are working on that at the moment.

“One of the agreements we had with the council when we took over the running of the building was that we would re-roof it within five years.

“Over the years it has just been patched up and needs a full re-roofing done.

“The notices have gone out and we are just waiting for approval and because it’s a listed building we need to have more approvals than normal.”

The project will be managed by Haslingden-based community regeneration company Proffitt’s.

If approved, work is expected to be completed by July this year.

Coun Collingridge added: “At the moment it is just wasted space.

“We are looking all the time to make the house more sustainable and generate extra rent.”

Funding has been received from the Lancashire Environmental Fund and the Community Development Board.