A FORMER care home closed by officials with just two hours' notice could be turned into a day-care centre for children.

Businessman Stephen Pearson has applied to Hyndburn Council for permission to convert Great Harwood Lodge to a centre to cater for 40 children.

The private home, on Edward Street, Great Harwood, was closed in May after the National Care Standards Commission arrived with an urgent closure notice obtained from magistrates, leaving the 17 residents living in the home at the time two hours to leave.

Security guards were brought in round the clock to protect the premises, and the 24-bedroom property, which was built in the late 1980s, was sold at auction in September with a guide price of £240,000 to £260,000. Receivers were brought in to run the business after owner Pamela Jackson failed to meet a mortgage payment on the property, which she claims to have paid £500,000 for.

If approved, the new business will operate from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 1pm on Saturday. The centre would employ 10 staff, with eight present at any one time, and plans also include an after school facility.

Mr Pearson also plans to install an enclosed play area at the back of the premises.

Part of the site falls within the Great Harwood conservation area. Members of the council's planning committee are recommended to approve the application when it comes before them on Wednesday, on condition it is only used as a children's day care centre and there are no more than 40 children in the building at any time.

A report to be presented to them says: "The proposal represents an appropriate use in this location. The location allows for easy access by public transport, and although parking facilities are available within the site, there is also a public car park nearby. The outdoor play space would be located to the rear of the building and it would not result in significant neighbour amenity problems."

When the care home closed, its residents were moved to nearby local authority-run centres. It led to a mini-revival of the campaign to keep Northlands care home - one of 32 earmarked by the county council to be closed in an attempt to improve services - open, with locals saying it would be unfair to move Lodge residents again.