PLANS to relocate Hyndburn Council offices to a building away from the town centre have been attacked for taking the council out of the community.

But council bosses say moving its Eagle Street offices 500 metres up the road to new premises in Ormerod Street will promote investment in the area.

Labour's Coun Tim O'Kane believes the council should have moved all its staff into empty office space at Accrington Town Hall and the annexe behind it.

Last month, councillors revealed a £1 million-plus scheme to relocate to Scaitcliffe House, in Ormerod Street, from next summer.

The move has been prompted by the sell-on of its existing Eagle Street premises, currently owned by Lancashire Enterprises, to a development firm.

Council chiefs decided to move after being told the owners could not guarantee their future -- or the level of rent -- on the site for any length of time.

More than £1million is being spent on Scaitcliffe House to make it suitable for council use, with an extension for committee rooms and a reception. The administrative work relating to councillors and the chief executive's department will move, along with other departments, including corporate services and council staff.

Other offices in the town centre, including the tax payment offices by the town hall and environmental health in Cannon Street, will remain.

Coun O'Kane said: "I am disappointed we have gone down this route. It isn't the best option available as far as I can see. Moving the council offices out of the town centre, will make it harder for people to get to us.

"There is a lot less parking space. Where are all the people who normally park at the Eagle Street offices supposed to leave their cars now?

"There will be a lot of staff moving out of the town centre and I think it will effect trade. Sandwich shops and the like will suffer. It would have made more sense to put all the officers in the extra space we have at the annexe next to the town hall.

"It would be much more convenient but I have been told the renovation work wouldn't be completed within 18 months. It didn't take that long to build the Empire State Building."

A council spokesman said: "The annexe was looked at but it isn't an option because there isn't enough space. There was also an issue of where everyone would park and whether council officers would take spaces meant for shoppers. We had hoped to stay where we were but that wasn't an option for us in the end. This is the best solution available."

The redevelopment of Scaitcliffe House is being designed by Globe Enterprises, the part council-owned company behind the redeveloped Globe Centre.

Director Nigel Rix said: "Redeveloping Scaitcliffe House opens up a large sector. The area overlooks a lodge and has attracted a lot of interest. Firms are keen to have premises overlooking water and we should be able to regenerate the area."