A HISTORIC manor house gutted by an arson attack could have its future decided soon.

The 16th century Sparth Manor House, in Clayton-le-Moors, was torched in 2013, leaving the one-time restaurant’s ground floor wrecked.

Oswaldtwistle man Alan McSorley, who wants to buy the Grade II-listed property with his wife, and has again lodged a planning application with the council to convert it into a home.

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A similar application lodged last September was withdrawn.

Building surveyor and designers, Flanagan Design Associates, said: “My clients are the prospective purchasers of Sparth Manor, who are applying to change the use to that of a private dwelling.

“This work will involve the repair and restoration of the fire damaged elements of the roof and interior, along with the removal of some more modern partitions at first floor, which sub-divide the eastern bedroom and an en-suite formed in the 1970s when it was converted to a hotel and public house.

“The roof will require the fire damaged areas to be removed and the timbers damaged by fire to be replaced.”

New oak doors and frames into three existing door openings at the rear of the building are also expected to be inserted.

Local councillor, Tim O’Kane, has previously spoken of his desire to see the building returned to use.

He said: “The building’s listed status means they are limited to what they can do with it, and it’s a very historic building.

“We have to welcome the fact somebody is willing to put some money into it.

“I would have thought it would have been a community building but of course with the money being so tight all round, nobody can afford to lavish money out on things.

“The amount of money for repairs just now is pretty high.”

The building, which was put up for sale in 2013 for £250,000, was extensively damaged by smoke during the arson attack.

Built by the Rishton family in 1556, it was a hotel and gastro pub until it closed in 2012. Celebrity chef Nigel Haworth’s first job in the food industry was waiting tables at the restaurant when he was in college.