FORMER tea rooms on Foulridge Wharf look set to be converted into a cottage after a plan for a canalside tourism centre was scrapped.

Plans to convert the dilapidated tearooms and restaurant into housing will go before Pendle Council's Colne and District Committee on Thursday, and planning manager Neil Watson has recommended that the proposal is approved.

In June last year, after a meeting at the site, Pendle Council had tried to get a grant from British Waterways to revitalise the area, then rent it out at a low cost.

But its hopes were dashed when the waterways authority decided to auction off the site.

Despite trying to scrape the cash together to buy it, the council lost out to a private bidder.

Though he had looked into the possibilities of turning the wharf into a tourism and heritage site, new owner Mr Phillip Berry found that it would never be viable.

Coun Andrew Wilson told him to "get on with it as soon as possible" when the ideas for a housing plan were first put before the group.

He said: "The wharf has gone massively downhill over the past couple of years and if it is left any longer it's just going to get worse - it's already an eyesore.

"It's a shame we couldn't get it for tourism, but a sensitive redevelopment like this is the next best thing."

The planned alterations include replacing all windows and doors, but existing openings will be used. Mr Watson said in his report that they would mean "minimal" changes in the physical appearance of the buildings.

Foulridge Canal Cruises, which runs barge trips from the canalside, and canoe club the Pendle Paddlers will still be able to operate from the area, and Mr Berry has promised to secure their contracts to make sure they can stay.

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