PLANS to transform a former house and hotel into a cookery school could create seven jobs.

Applicant Michael Reilly has applied for permission to change Thorneyholme Hall in Dunsop Bridge, into a cookery school with accommodation for up to 16 people.

Under the bid, building work would largely be limited to the extension of the existing garage of the property to allow for the formation of the cooking school.

While the house, which was last used as the residence of the applicant, already boasts eight bedrooms which would be used by people attending the school.

The development site also lies within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AEONB), an area popular with tourists in Ribble Valley.

In its design and access statement, on behalf of applicant Michael Reilly, PWA Planning, said: “While the application site is located outside of the established settlement boundary of Dunsop Bridge it does have a clear and functional relationship with the settlement, with Thorneyholme Hall representing one of the feature buildings of Dunsop Bridge.

“The facilities needed to serve the proposed use are fairly minor (limited to the detailed garage extension and the additional parking) and are accommodated on site.

“Consequently, it is not thought that the scale of the development would be out of context with the settlement or be unsuitable within the AONB.

“Thorneyholme Hall has proven hard to maintain as either a residential home or a hotel and currently is not used as a residence.”

Formerly, the site was a hotel premises offering accommodation for visitors to the area, with the use later changed to incorporate spa/leisure facilities before the subsequent conversion of the property to a house.

If the plans are given the go-ahead by Ribble Valley Council, cookery classes will run throughout the year although it is not anticipated that attendees would remain at the school for an entire year.

Accommodation would be open to people undertaking a course which runs over more than one day, but using accommodation would not be mandatory in order to attend.

The cookery classes will initially be aimed at adults, but there could be lessons for younger age groups further down the line.

PWA Planning added: “This application offers the opportunity to fully utilise and regenerate the site to provide a sustainable use that won’t undermine or detract from the existing settlement area.

“Moreover, the increased use of the site would likely be of socio-economic benefit to existing village facilities.”