A PROPERTY developer has slammed an East Lancashire Council who put off his bid to turn a former nursing home into luxury apartments.

Westacre Property Ltd said it wanted to buy the Northlands home in Park Lane, Great Harwood, but was told by Hyndburn Council officials that its application would not be looked at.

Jim Westbrook, managing director of the company based in Southport, said: "Planning officers told me that under no circumstances would our plans be considered. The building is in a super location and perfect for apartments, but the council put the brakes on the idea."

Lancashire County Council, which owns the home, have put the building up for sale at an auction to be held in Manchester on October 15. Peel Court in Oswaldtwistle and Fir Grove in Burnley will also go under the hammer. The guide price for Northlands is between £180,000 and £200,000, but Mr Westbrook doubts if anyone will want to buy a building that comes with restrictive planning guidelines.

Hyndburn, along with other councils in East Lancashire, has been told it must encourage development on previously developed "brown field" sites. But the local structure plan limits the number of houses it can allow to be built and the council insists it has reached its limit.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said the restrictions imposed by central government could have "horrendous consequences" for the borough.

He said:"All of us are concerned about the situation. But the developer could submit a planning application and prove there are exceptional circumstances why his development should go ahead."

Brendan Lyons, chief planning and transportation officer said: "We're advising anyone submitting planning applications for new housing, that until the need for new housing becomes clearer, they are likely to be recommended for refusal. However, each application will be assessed on its own merits"