PLANS to turn an arson-hit Victorian manor house into a housing development have been rejected.

Developer Harriet Homes Ltd wanted to convert Owl Hall, in Plantation Road, Accrington, to two homes and build three additional houses on the surrounding land.

The plans also included landscaping and car parking.

Hyndburn planning committee unanimously refused permission.

It made the decision after criticising two aspects of the application. Councillors were unhappy that a cobbled unadopted road on the site had not been discussed in the plans.

And they said the building of additional homes on the land was against the council’s development plan.

The 140-year-old hall and its neighbouring cottage have been a target for vandals and arsonists in recent years.

Earlier this month more than £10,000 worth of slate roofing tiles were stolen from the derelict property.