A GRADE-II listed building will be brought back into residential use by creating two-seven bedroom homes.

The adjoining mid-terraced properties dating back to around 1845 were previously used by The Northern Institute Of Massage but have been vacant for two years.

Neighbouring properties in St Mary's Place objected to the plans because the area is part of Bury's "business district" and introducing residential homes would lessen its appeal, they said.

However, Andrew Titterton from Studio KMA Architects said that there was no interest in using the property as an office despite being actively marketed for more than a year.

He said: "We are all aware that our rapidly changing lifestyles are affecting the High Streets and our town centres. Modern business and professional practices seek high specification office space with flexibility in mind.

"People are looking for hot desking arrangements in open plan, thriving, co-working space. People demand lots of natural daylight with floor to ceiling windows. They require a lobby cafe, gymnasiums, wellness rooms, private meeting space and large meeting rooms, draft beers on tap, table tennis tables, pool tables and dog friendly environments. The workplace has changed."

He argued that the answer to this is to convert old buildings to a use that will "respect our heritage" with a use that will provide a sustainable future.

Cllr Jackie Harris raised concerns about the heritage of the Georgian-style building being preserved at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

She was reassured by head of development management David Marno who said a balance must be struck when making modifications to a listed building.

The developer behind the proposal, The Heaton Group, promises to deliver "high quality" affordable accommodation which offers accessibility, employment and night-time amenity.

Mr Titterton said that young "financially active" professionals will be the target market for the two houses of multiple occupancy.

He said: “In essence, the historic harm done to these buildings that was once to create office space or professional service accommodation would be undone, and the buildings would go back to residential use.”

The application to change the building to residential use and make some external alterations was approved unanimously by the planning committee on Tuesday together with listed building consent.