COUNCILLORS ‘cannot wait for work to start’ after plans to build apartments at an iconic former Conservative club were given the green light.

Hyndburn Planning Committee unanimously approved proposals to convert the former Accrington Conservative Club in Cannon Street into 26 apartments at a meeting yesterday.

The Cannon Street building, which is Grade II listed and dates back to 1890, was partly demolished in May 2016 after it was ravaged by a huge fire.

The applicant said plans will include 26 apartments with 10 covered parking spaces across seven floors of the building and roof, and will maintain the original facade, which fronts onto Cannon Street.

All members of the committee voted to pass the plans with conditions in the meeting at Scaitcliffe House in Accrington.

Planning committee chair Cllr Eamonn Higgins said:”We all remember the facade of the building.

“It’s a fantastic building and it's nice to see some people taking an interest in bringing it back to its glory.”

Planning officers at the meeting said 20 per cent of the apartments will be available as part of an affordable housing scheme.

Although some concerns were raised about the number of parking spaces available, councillors still agreed the plans were a positive for the area.

Cllr Paddy Short said: “I remember the first time I came to Accrington at the train station and saw this building and its facade.

“It’s a shame it has fallen into such disrepute.

“I cannot wait for it to be built and see what it is like.”

Cllr June Harrison, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, said at the meeting: “I think it’s great.

“It would make it 100 per cent better than what it is like at the moment.”

Cllr Bernard Dawson, who also sits on the committee said: “When we think about what it was, it was the biggest conservative club in the country.

“I think we all want to see something happening with the site.”

Owner Iftakharul Bhatti from Nelson-based Woodgreen Developments submitted the plans for the site in September last year.

Duncan Isherwood, senior partner at planning agent Sunderland and Peacock, spoke at the meeting about the plans and said Mr Bhatti wants work to start ‘as quickly as possible’.

He said: “The applicant has been looking for the ideal application for some time.

“Some of the properties will be to rent and some will be to buy.

“The applicant hopes to see work start in the next few months.”