THE threatened Clitheroe workhouse was granted a reprieve from demolition by councillors tonight.

NHS East Lancashire was applying for outline permission for 52 houses on the current site of Clitheroe hospital, which would include the demolition of the 1873 workhouse.

Members of the council's planning and development committee deferred the application to get more information from the developer on possible alternative uses of the building.

Campaigners had urged the committee to reject the scheme to ensure the historic Clitheroe workhouse was saved.

Coun Terry Hill said: “When I first moved to the area 20 years ago I had never been to Clitheroe, but the two things I first noticed were the castle and this building.

“It is clear this building is part of Clitheroe's heritage and we must take that into account.”

Pauline Wood, chair of the Clitheroe civic society, added: “Residents from all over the Ribble Valley have expressed concern at the demolition of the workhouse, and this cannot be ignored.

“It would be a shame if it ended up as a housing estate full of new build clones.”.

A new £12million hospital is set to be built on land next to the current site, with work planned to start this summer.