THE owner of a historic East Lancashire pub is seeking to covert a decaying outbuilding into a holiday cottage.

The Four Alls Inn, in Higham Hall Road between Nelson and Padiham, wants to turn the unused storage building next to the main premises into a self-contained two-bedroomed vacation let.

Landlord Michael Bann has applied to Pendle Council for planning permission to make the change to structure in the car park of the current Grade II-listed pub built in 1792.

The Four Alls Inn is mentioned in the tales of the Pendle Witches and is reputed to have four ghosts.

A supporting planning statement says: "The site is in the village of Higham which is approximately two miles North-East of Padiham and four miles South-West of Nelson.

"The building is currently an unused storage building.

"The site is in the Higham Conservation Area and features in the Higham Conservation Area Appraisal.

"The general locality is a typical rural village and is largely of late 1800’s stone built dwellings of varying dates of construction.

"The application relates to the conversion of the currently vacant building from its last use as a storage building into a two-bedroom holiday cottage.

"The building has remained vacant for a number of years and is falling into a state of dereliction.

"The use of the currently unused building to provide a lettable holiday unit is considered to be the most sustainable and appropriate use.

"The proposal represents a sustainable provision for tourist accommodation in a very scenic and accessible part of Lancashire being in fairly close proximity to major transport links.

"The conversion will be done in a sympathetic manner matching the adjacent public house.

"The proposal represents a sustainable and appropriate use for the vacant former storage building that when converted will provide an attractive addition to the client's business and the village in general.

"This application is part of a continuing commitment by the applicant to improve, diversify and enhance the quality of his business."

Higham and Pendleside ward's Cllr Carlo Lionti said: "I shall look carefully at the plan and what impact it might have on the village. I shall then be talking to Higham's parish councillors."