REVISED plans for a £1.6 million office development that was labelled 'too modern' for Clitheroe have been unveiled.

Ribble Valley Homes has re-submitted the application for its new headquarters neighbouring the Station Hotel to Ribble Valley Borough Council.

Designers have toned down the plans for the office space on the site of the former police station car park in Station Road.

The Clitheroe Town Council had objected to the original plans in November, saying the contemporary three storey office block was too modern.

And Mary Robinson, mayor of Clitheroe Town Council, said she was very pleased with the new designs.

She said: “I am glad that we objected because we are very happy with the new plans which, although still modern, are now more sympathetic and in keeping with the surrounding Victorian buildings.

”The designers seemed to have taken in our concerns because the frontage fits in so much better.”

The headquarters will house the organisation’s staff and will act as a drop-in centre for tenants, as well being used as a community resource for tenants.

Christine Grimshaw, Ribble Valley Homes managing director, said: “We have taken on board the council’s comments to produce a design which we believe suits the local environment.

“As a local housing organisation, we operate at the heart of Ribble Valley’s community which is why we firmly believe it is important to have our office in such a central location in the town.

“We have considered a number of other sites in the town, but following consultation with our tenants we believe this is the best location."

If the plans get the go ahead, Ribble Valley Homes, which is currently spread across two sites in York Street and King Lane, would expect to start work on site in May, with a view to completing the build by May 2011.

The building will be a mix of glass and contemporary stone and there would also be parking spaces for staff and disabled access.

More than 1,000 former Ribble Valley council homes were officially transferred to the housing association in April, 2008. As part of the transfer agreement, it was agreed that a new office be located in Clitheroe.