A FOURTH bid in as many years is being made to convert a derelict building on St Annes seafront.

Housebuilders Morris Homes want to convert the former Blackburn Home on Clifton Drive North into 18 apartments with car parking spaces and have submitted a fresh application just six months after a similar application was rejected by Fylde planners.

"There are some minor amendments to the plan that was turned down earlier this year," said a Fylde planning spokesman.

The proposals have been put forward by local property developer Crowden Collins.

The controversial plan was rejected in May this year when objectors included Defend the Dunes, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Plantlife, Lytham St Annes Civic Society, Lancashire Butterfly Conservation, the British Dragon Society and the Open Spaces Society.

A 56-name petition opposing the proposals was also submitted.

Plans to convert the site into 29 flats were first submitted in 1998 and refused by planners the following year.

"The area is termed a triple site which means that the government has designated it a site of special scientific interest. The developer has submitted some additional evidence in support of the latest plan," added the spokesman.

"It will probably be considered by the Planning Committee in December at the earliest."