A KEY block on the edge of a regeneration area in Burnley could be turned into a bedsits complex if councillors agree.

Plans have been unveiled by Properly Property to transform the controversial 88-100 Accrington Road parade into studio flats.

Council bosses have only just been told that an appeal, by the same firm, to convert the terrace into a residential care home has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

In support of the 30-room boarding house package, Properly claim it will be trying to attract those forced to live in temporary accommodation.

All of the rooms would be designed around a central corridor with the homes'

kitchen extensions used as communal dining areas, toilets and bathrooms.

A Properly spokesman has told planners: "This boarding house is not a care home or hostel or hotel but a boarding house to accommodate a residential landlord and up to 30 self-caring lodgers."

Problems with car parking hampered the care home bid put forward by the company. But the firm has said the seven to 14 spaces provided outside the existing houses will be sufficient.

The spokesman added: "The sort of people this proposal would help are the financially challenged who do not have bicycles, let alone cars."

The company has also insisted that, with Elevate regeneration cash in question ahead of the next General Election, the support of landlords was necessary to revive the area.

"We are prepared to spend hard-earned private cash to renovate this deprived area and restore this dilapidated terrace... back to its former splendour."

Rejecting the care home appeal, planning inspector Geoffrey Hill said: "This proposed scheme would not be acceptable on account of the very poor standard of amenity space for the residents and the inadequate arrangements for parking and servicing."

Mr Hill was also critical that the appeal lodged contained no illustrations of how the terrace would be upgraded or altered.