A COUNCILLOR claimed a youth arts centre was in danger of becoming a commune after plans to turn it into a 24-hour recording studio were given the go-ahead.

Plans to turn the Grand Cinema in Clitheroe -- the last independent cinema in East Lancashire -- into a youth arts centre were given the thumbs-up by planners last year.

The scheme, which has the backing of Sir Cliff Richard, will see the Grand, formerly the Civic Hall Cinema, turned into an arts centre for youngsters, featuring a cyber caf, dance studio, recording suite and rehearsal rooms.

Ribble Valley Council gave the scheme the go-ahead, despite objections from nearby residents and a recommendation of refusal by planning officers.

The matter came back to committee at a meeting in Clitheroe so they could set appropriate conditions of use.

Mary Gibson, speaking on behalf of residents, asked that the Grand not be used after 10.30pm and the recording studio not used at all while the building was otherwise not in use.

But planning officer John Macholc recommended the building be open from 8am to midnight and a 24-hour use for the recording studio.

Read councillor John Hill claimed the building was in danger of becoming a commune if permission for a 24-hour studio was granted.

Committee chairman Richard Sherras told the meeting 24-hour use was common for recording studios and anyone using the facility at night would not leave the building before 8am.

Keith Shortley, representing the Lancaster Foundation, which owns the building, said the foundation had co-operated with the borough council and residents in taking the scheme forward.

Residents have claimed the proposed development will increase parking problems in York Street and overshadow their properties. They are also concerned that use of the centre at night by youngsters might lead to anti-social behaviour and noise.

The Lancaster Foundation, owned by Ultraframe boss John Lancaster, proposes to invest £3.5million in the scheme and develop it along similar lines to a facility in Bristol managed by the Christian youth charity, NGM.

John Lancaster acquired the Grand three years ago and originally wanted to demolish it, replacing it with a new state-of-the-art structure, but was forced into a rethink after a campaign to save the building resulted in its Grade II listing.

Sir Cliff Richard has written a note to John Lancaster claiming the centre will offer Clitheroe youngsters a great opportunity.