A TOWN centre brownfield site that has been vacant for more than a decade could be turned into a six-storey block of flats.

The former home of a car sales garage in Wellington Street, near the bus and railway stations, could finally be put to good use.

Hannick Homes has put in a planning application for the development, which is thought to be worth more than £4 million.

It involves 55 one and two bedroom flats, with under-ground car parking.

Architect Graham Smith, director of Old Town-based DPDS Consulting, agents for Hannick, said: "This is an exciting proposal that demonstrates the develop-ment industry's grasp of the requirements of Govern-ment to make best use of vacant sites in urban areas.

"The flats are designed to meet the needs of modern central area living and are of a quality, contemporary design."

Hannick obtained per-mission many years ago to change the site into a four-storey office development, but found it did not suit the market.

Now the firm hopes to obtain permission for this development in the next six months, enabling the project to be finished by early 2003.