A FORMER cinema site in Nelson could be sold to a medical centre to be used as a car park by patients and staff.

The Regent Picturedrome building, in Leeds Road, was demolished in May 2009 shortly after Pendle Council bought it for around £270,000.

But plans to use the land have failed to come to fruition and now council chiefs are to open talks with the Fairmore Medical Practice to clear it for parking.

Judith Watmough, Pendle Council’s senior regeneration officer, said: “Back in 2009 the Fairmore Medical Practice contacted the council and enquired about its future development.

“The Medical Practice stated that they would like to pursue the possibility of the land being used as a car park for patients at the practice.

“At that time we had agreed that the site would be used as a compound so discussions weren’t taken any further.”

Since then, talks have taken place with Housing Pendle over using the land for affordable housing, but no plans were ever forthcoming.

Recently, Lancashire County Council has also asked about the land being used for parking provision, after some of the nearby kerbside parking was lost with the development of a cycle path for the Bradley Hub.

Judith Watmough added: “We have recently been back in contact with the Fairmore Medical Practice and they have confirmed that they are still interested in the possibility of the site being developed for car parking.

“They are interested in exploring the option of either leasing or buying the land and are keen to understand the costs associated with both options so they can have further discussions with the PCT.”

The Regent was a purpose-built cinema in the 1930s and was later transformed into a bingo hall and then a furniture warehouse.