PLANS to expand a conservation area in a bid to protect historic buildings from demolition have been delayed.

Hyndburn Council cabinet members had been due to decide whether to approve a proposal to extend the Christ Church Conservation Area to take in the historic Abbey Grange buildings so they can’t be knocked down without the need for planning permission.

Council conservation officer, David Morris, said the row of the old Red Lion pub, its stables and barn and the adjacent row of cottages were some of the first buildings in Accrington, and were originally surrounded by fields.

The proposal to extend the conservation area comes after developers proposed to knock down Nos. 1-11 Black Abbey Street and redevelop the site for housing, alongside the conversion of the adjacent Grade II listed 104 Abbey Street to residential.

But council chiefs say the Abbey Grange area is of fundamental importance to the history of Accrington.

The proposal was withdrawn on the day of the meeting to allow council bosses to discuss the matter further with developers.

It is thought the area it represents the earliest settlement in the town and the foundation of its historic narrative, and council chiefs say it contains a series of Georgian buildings of great interest which have fascinated Accrington people for generations.

The buildings form part of the official Acorn Visitor Heritage Trail.

In the withdrawn report, council conservation officer David Morris said : "Recently, a certificate of lawfulness application was submitted by the owners to establish whether 1 - 11 Black Abbey Street and 1 Jacob Street could be demolished without planning permission.

"The determination was that they could be demolished following a prior approval notice. However, including the buildings into the Christ Church Conservation Area would change this situation and planning permission would then be required for their demolition.

"There is currently a second certificate of lawfulness application submitted to establish whether the buildings can be demolished without listed building consent and this is presently not determined.

"The former Red Lion Public House on Abbey Street is listed grade II and the question is whether any of the buildings on Black Abbey Street are listed by virtue of being in the curtilage of the listed building.

"The application argues than none are listed and that demolition can proceed."

A council spokesman said: “The report was taken off so that more discussions can take place with the owners in September.”