RAWTENSTALL’S £3.5million masterplan has moved a step closer after architects submitted their proposals for its long-awaited new bus station.

Current town centre buildings including the police station, the old town hall, public toilets and Rossendale Council’s former One Stop offices could be demolished to make way for the transport hub.

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Council leader Alyson Barnes hailed the plans as “good news for the Valley”.

The planning application outlines the first of three phases of what is known as the Spinning Point Masterplan, which the council hopes will ‘create new focus’ for Rawtenstall town centre.

The bus station, currently on the southern side of Bacup Road, would move to the opposite side of the road between North Street, James Street, Lord Street and Annie Street, bordered by the town square which replaced the Valley Centre shopping precinct in 2012.

Cllr Barnes said the lay-out of the eight-bay station would create a more integrated transport and shopping zone for visitors.

She said: “This has been rumbling on for a long time and I’m really pleased that the plans are now in. The facility will include offices for Green Vale Homes, a cafe, an information point and a retail kiosk.

“I think the bus-using public will welcome the fact they won’t have to cross town to change buses any more. It’s great news for what we’re attempting to do in Rawtenstall.

“The site itself will be massive. Of course, nobody really wants to knock the old town hall down but when we consulted on this and talked to people about that heritage aspect, people didn’t resist it that strongly.”

The plans, which have been drawn up by DAY Architectural Ltd, have now been lodged with Rossendale Council. This has been done by the Rossendale Together Barnfield Partnership, which comprises the council, Together Housing as well as Barnfield Investment Properties.

In a design and access statement, the group said: “The development will deliver a £3.5m investment in Rawtenstall that will meet the council’s long-standing objectives for this area.

“It will create modern, accessible public transport interchange facilities for the people of Rossendale set within a high-quality public space.”