UP TO 55 new jobs will be created if plans to transform a former Burnley pub into an Italian restaurant are approved.

Councillors on the development control committee were due to discuss the plans for the Bull and Butcher Inn building, in Manchester Road, at their meeting tonight, with the plans recommended for approval.

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Last summer, part of the former pub building went up in flames and it has become a magnet for vandals in recent years.

Council planning officer Cathy Ryder said in a report: “The former Bull and Butcher public house was last used as a restaurant, which closed around four years ago.

“It is proposed to bring it back into use as a restaurant and to erect a large single storey extension to the rear, to form additional floorspace.

“The existing building will be retained and refurbished to a high standard.

“The equivalent of 44 (full-time) new jobs will be created.

“Access would be from Rossendale Avenue and car parking for 122 spaces would be provided, including 11 disabled spaces. There would be motorcycle and cycle parking and a turning area for delivery vehicles.

“There will be some impact on the landscape but providing this is mitigated by the use of appropriate materials and landscaping, the impact will not be unacceptable.

“The scheme provides for appropriate access, car parking and servicing space and no issues of highway safety are raised.”

The application, from the San Marco group, says that 33 full-time jobs and 22 part-time jobs will be created.

Hamaad Anwar, from planning agents Fletcher Smith Architects, said: “The Bull and Butcher public house is an important landmark and entrance into Burnley.

“It ceased trading as a public house several years ago and more recently became an Indian restaurant. This also ceased trading approximately four years ago and the building is now empty and becoming derelict.

“The proposed application is for the sympathetic refurbishment of the existing Bull and Butcher building to bring it back to its original glory as a gateway into Burnley.

“The aim is to retain all features of the front elevation and generally make good existing finishes, bringing the building back to life.”

San Marco Group is a collection of family-run authentic Italian restaurants located within the Preston area which began life in 1985.