THE future of two landmark buildings in Accrington remains in the balance despite both having new owners.

The former fire station, in Manchester Road, was sold for £210,000 on September 11 last year by Petty Chartered Surveyors of Burnley but officials are still waiting for new proposals on how it will be redeveloped.

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And the boarded-up Bridge Inn, in Church Street, has been sold for £75,000 after going under the hammer, although again no proposals have been forward to the authorities.

The Grade II listed fire station building has a series of private offices, a former canteen, sleeping areas and even an apartment.

But it had been largely cleared with a view to refurbishment and was advertised for sale as having planning permission granted for a change of use and erection of new buildings to create six residential units, six office units, a car showroom, an auction house and a restaurant.

An application to allow Totally Wicked Ltd to erect a seven-foot banner at the site were turned down by planning officials on August 4.

Cllr Bernard Dawson, the chairman of planning committee, said: “I am glad that it’s been sold but the fire station has had a couple of owners over the past few years and nothing has ever come of it.

“We could be faced with an empty police station as well as they are moving – that’s two big buildings next door to each other.

“Any changes would be subject to a planning application and that would have to be looked at objectively.

“It’s frustrating as we try to get one building back in use then another one becomes empty.”

The detached two-storey town centre Bridge Inn was auctioned off in the International Suite at Manchester United’s football ground last week.

The freehold venue, which also acted as a nightclub, has a five-bedroom residential accommodation to the first floor.

Earlier this year the property was valued with a top-end price of £120,000.

It was auctioned by Pugh and Company but David Hodgkinson, associate director and registered valuer, said he could not reveal the buyer under data protection legislation.