PLANS to convert a former pub into apartments have been approved.

An application to turn the Village Inn, Great Harwood, into 10 one-bedroom flats has been given the green light by Hyndburn Council

It has been empty for eight years and plans were put in last year to give the building a new lease of life.

A council spokesman said: “Objections have been received in relation to the people who will live in the apartments and also whether the apartments are needed.

“The council has a policy which allows apartment development in this location and, as such, this proposal is considered to be in line with that policy and acceptable.

“In relation to the comments relating to inhabitants of the development, this is not a planning matter as this application is for residential development, not for institutional development such as the type referred to in the objector’s letter.”

Owners of the pub in Water Street, formerly known as the Brass Band Club, Arnie and Tracey Martin, secured a sale in principle dependent on planning permission being obtained for conversion. In order for the development to go ahead, a £4,689 payment must be made by developers towards open space in the borough.

Mr Martin said: “In 2004, after spending a substantial amount of money on buying, refurbishing and trading, it became apparent we would have to subsidise the business as it was not proving viable as a sports bar and didn't lend itself to being food orientated.

“We kept the premises licence to the property until 2015 by paying the annual fee of £180. Unfortunately we came to the conclusion that it was never going to sell as a pub as the property had fallen into disrepair and we were doing minimal repairs due to spiralling costs.”

Blackburn-based developers IL Group Ltd held discussions with the council over developing the pub as 15 flats but later scaled the plans back in a bid to make it more likely to get permission.

A spokesman said: “The Village Inn ceased trading in 2011 after several years of investing in the premises and subsidising the business.

“The property has been marketed since then as a public house but with little or no interest.

“It was maintained by the owner until 2015 but the property was falling into disrepair and being targeted by vandals so that costs were spiralling.

“The property now has the minimum maintenance and as a result is falling into further disrepair.

“An offer in principle has been accepted to purchase the building if planning permission can be obtained for the conversion to apartments.

“We feel the proposed development provides an opportunity to retain and revive a building that is already an eyesore and social problem for local residents and which will otherwise continue to deteriorate.”