A FORMER pub which dates back to the early 1800s is set to be transformed into flats.

Burnley Council’s development control committee voted in favour of the scheme for five new flats at the New Black Bull on Mill Street in Padiham on Thursday night.

Brian Sumners of Avalon Planning who are the agents for the application on behalf of Hodgson Property Group spoke about how their clients had already spent money on the building.

He said: “We went to survey the site back in the summertime and I can tell you the building was in a very dilapidated state where it has been vacant for coming up to eight years now.

“The roof at the back has partially collapsed and rain was coming in and that was affecting the roof timbers. 

“So the applicant has decided replace them on a like for like basis.

“The applicant is taking on a town centre building which is run down to convert it to flats which is in compliance with the council's own development plan in terms of getting people into the town centre and diversifying town centre uses."

There were five letters of objection to the scheme including the loss of resident’s parking, a lack of parking, loss of privacy and lack of lighting. Mr Sumner spoke about traffic and parking issues and said that town centre car parks ‘can pick up the slack’ for lack of resident parking while they would taking action to improve lighting.

He said: “The applicant is prepared to put on some low key lighting in the yard and walls and that will ensure the building is well lit to the entrance which will benefit everybody.”

Committee chair Frank Cant described how the area had been a hotspot for ‘anti-social behaviour especially during the summer months.

He said: "I feel for anyone who was living near those conditions particularly with the noise from the Kings Arms (next door) and the New Black Bull but there were people who gather outside and it has been quite horrendous at times.

“There are no planning regulations to refuse it.”

Meanwhile Cllr Marcus Johnstone said: “This building is in a last chance saloon situation and if we don’t give it the planning permission then it will slowly rot away and ultimately be demolished.”