PLANS have been lodged to demolish a historic building to make way for a future development.

Oswald House, the former Oswaldtwistle Liberal Club in Rhyddings Street, Oswaldtwistle, has been vacant since 2003 and has become increasingly derelict.

Now Dransfield Properties Ltd has submitted an application for enabling works, which would see the 19th century building bulldozed.

Other works which would take place include repairs to the boundary wall and lodges at the site of the former Rhyddings Mill.

Works will also see the facade of the building taken down piece-by-piece and restored, ready to be re-used in any future development.

Oswald House was at one time offices for the adjacent Rhyddings Mill, and from 1996 was a doctor’s surgery, but it has lain vacant for the past 15 years.

Planning documents submitted as part of the plans said the scheme represents an ‘important first step in facilitating the future regeneration of the site.’

Humble Heritage Ltd said in a statement on behalf of applicants Dransfield: “The scheme represents an important first step in facilitating the future regeneration of the site.

“It is anticipated this will comprise retail development, which will bring social and economic benefits in terms of job creation, investment and the promotion of sustainable shopping patterns, as well as environmental benefits in terms of the delivery of high-quality buildings and well-designed public realm.”

They said the main body of the site has for some time been ‘derelict and unsightly’, and with time is only ‘degrading further.’

They added: "It is very clearly a key regeneration opportunity.

“The proposals are submitted as an enabling works package to allow the clearance, re-profiling and preparation of the site in readiness for future development, which will in itself bring environmental improvements to the area.”