WORK has begun on a ‘historic’ pub to convert it from an ‘eyesore’ into six luxury apartments.

The former Plane Tree Hotel in Westgate, Burnley, has been empty for more than 10 years but building work has started to convert it into new flats.

Marc Karoo, from Karoo Estates Ltd, submitted a planning application for the one and two-bedroom apartments at the site earlier this year after buying it in February.

Although permission has not yet been granted, he expects it to be finalised in the coming weeks.

If everything goes to plan he expects work on the six large apartments aimed at working professionals, to be completed by October.

Mr Karoo said: “It was a dangerous place when I first bought it.

“There was broken needles and dry rot all over the place, the first job we had was just to clear it and make it safe.

“If you saw it at the beginning to what its like now - it is unbelievable.

“It’s going to be phenomenal, it’ll be out of this world.

“It’s a grade two listed building, so we’re keeping the historic elements.”

Mr Karoo said when he first bought the property he said the majority of windows were smashed or missing and the rear of the property had half a roof.

If it goes ahead there would be a large ‘penthouse’ apartment on the top floor, two large apartments on the second floor, and a further three on the ground floor.

So far the roof has been replaced as have the floors, which were in a ‘very bad state’ and upstairs windows, have also been installed.

A spokesman for agent Avalon Town Planning Ltd said: “Traffic coming into the town centre will be better seeing the derelict building converted into apartments.

“It’s a bit of an eyesore at the moment and has been derelict for years.

“Mr Karoo always works to a high standard and this is no different, they will be high quality apartments.”

Mr Karoo has also completed two other apartment conversions in Burnley, including one in Elizabeth Street.

Cllr Howard Baker, who represents the Trinity ward on Burnley Council where the pub is located, said it is good news work is finally taking place on the pub.

He said: “It’ll be important work for the area. It’s 10 years too late really.

“Obviously it is good that an eyesore is getting done up.”