A theatre building is set for expansion after the council approved plans to permanently link it to a former pub.

Plans were submitted to Pendle Council in June in respect of the Pendle Hippodrome Theatre building and the former Derby Arms pub in New Market Street, Colne.

The application asked for permission to erect a single storey flat roof extension and two storey pitched roof extensions to the rear of the Derby Arms, as well as the erection of a single storey linking extension between the former pub and the existing Hippodrome Theatre building.

Permission to make alterations to the window at the former Derby Arms to create an accessible entrance on New Market Street was also sought.

And on September 16, planning officers at Pendle Council approved the plans with conditions, stating that, “the development provides significant public benefit but does not harm any designated or undesignated heritage asset and therefore complies with the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework”.

Keith Walton of the Pendle Hippodrome wanted to make the alterations to link the two buildings and provide disabled access and facilities

A heritage statement submitted alongside the plans read: “The site contains three distinct structural components.

“The core part is the theatre itself, which occupies the north part of the site, with its front situated on New Market Street.

“To the south, the theatre adjoins a former public house known as the Derby Arms, also facing the street, while to the rear of these is a two-storey range of former stables, attached to the back of Shackleton Hall (originally the Royal Arcade), and this accommodates some of the theatre's ancillary functions.

“Between the three is a courtyard paved with setts, entered from New Market Street via a dog-leg arrangement, which serves to conceal it from that thoroughfare.

“The public house closed in about 2014, and was then acquired by the Hippodrome in order to extend its facilities.

“The various external alterations and extensions which are proposed are largely confined to the rear courtyard area, which is not prominent within the conservation area.

“Only the two proposed doorways in the south side of the former Derby Arms would be visible from New Market Street, are these would be very minor changes.

“The extensions and other changes proposed within the courtyard area would be in keeping with the character of this backyard location, which has always functioned as a service area, largely concealed from public view.

“The courtyard can readily accommodate the modest extensions proposed (and there is historical precedence for the link between theatre and stable block), without loss of significance.

“Given this assessment of impact, it is considered that the proposals are entirely acceptable in terms of their impact on the historic environment.”

The Hippodrome was built as a cinema and variety theatre by the landowner George Fort of Colne and opened on September 21, 1914.

It continued to show films until its change of use to a bingo hall in 1964, but in 1978, when under threat of redevelopment, was bought by three of the town's operatic societies.

A prolonged period of refurbishment followed, and it was eventually re-opened as an amateur-run theatre in 1986, which continues to operate up to the present day.

There were no objections from Lancashire County Council’s Highways department or any other party.