A BUILDERS merchants site could be turned into housing once the firm moves into its new home.

Plans have been lodged proposing to build 12 new homes on the site of Greengates in Whalley Road, Accrington.

Greengates is gearing up to move to new premises at the old Nori factory in Whinney Hill Road.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application to Hyndburn Council reads: "In September 2016 planning permission was granted for change of use of the former brickworks at the Nori factory site at Whinney Hill Road, Accrington, to a builders merchants.

"Works to that site have commenced and Greengates, who currently occupy this site, are to move to the Whinney Hill Road site when it is ready for occupation.

"Thus, the Whalley Road site will shortly become vacant.

"The site has established use rights as a builders merchants and could continue to be used for that purpose, however these proposals will enable the site to be marketed for new housing.

"Of the 12 dwellings proposed, all are two-storey with stone finishes and slate roofs.

"Six of the proposed dwellings will be semi-detached, three-bedroom dwellings.

"These will have some accommodation in the roofspace. The other six dwellings are terraced properties of three bedrooms."

Accrington's famous Nori brickworks closed down in 2016.

Work at the site, formally known as the Nori brickworks, was hailed as a ‘sign of the improving economy’ by then-Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne on a trip in January 2015.

Speaking at the time of the factory's closure, Hyndburn Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said the use of its famous bricks in the Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building meant its strength was ‘known across the world’.