One of Preston's ring road landmarks is set for a new future with apartment plans lodged for the high-rise building.

The six-storey Ribchester House, which sits across the road from Victoria House and overlooking the Preston Combined Court Centre, has been earmarked for 36 new flats.

The building, which has previously been valued at more than £1.8 million, has traditionally been office space, but the team behind Winckley Square-based Penthome Limited have now set their sights on turning it in to city centre accommodation.

The proposal is currently for 30 one-bed and six two-bed flats, with 16 car parking spaces currently on the site.

Graphic illustrations of the floor plans have been shared with Preston City Council's planning department, showing six self-contained apartments per floor, maintaining the open glass sides throughout the rooms.

The team from Penthome Limited have currently only approached the council with a 'prior notification submission', which asks for approval that specified parts of the development are acceptable.

This is before any work can commence.

Forbes Solicitors, which has occupied the ground floor in Ribchester House for more than two decades, has said it intends to remain in Preston city centre if it is asked to vacate.

A spokesperson said: "Although Forbes has occupied Ribchester House on Ringway for more than 20 years, our continued presence there depends on the plans of the landlord who we understand may wish to change the use of the building to align with the retail and leisure development that is taking place around the building.

"Even if this is the case we fully intend to maintain a significant presence in the city centre for the foreseeable future."

Ribchester House is within a few minutes walking distance of the courts, Preston bus station, and Preston Market.

If approved by the city council's planning officers, the development would be in-fitting with the city council's own City Living strategy to get more people living in the city centre.

Ribchester House itself sits in the Harris Quarter, with the city council previously saying: "The Harris Quarter could deliver new apartments close to the city’s improving leisure offer – the new Markets Quarter, a boutique hotel in the Old Post office and the Guild Hall - with a higher density aimed at increasing footfall and spend in the city.

"Where appropriate, linkages and public realm improvements will play a part in development proposals."