CONTROVERSIAL plans to turn a former shop into a drop-in centre for asylum seekers in Nelson have been abandoned after the application was withdrawn.

Interfaith group Building Bridges wanted to turn the premises at 20 Scotland Road into an advice and training centre to be used mainly by asylum seekers and it was due to be considered by Pendle Borough Council's Development Control Committee on Monday.

But the proposals were withdrawn by the council after overwhelming opposition by the town centre traders and the committee meeting was cancelled. More than 30 people objected to the plans.

Traders from Nelson Town Centre held meetings to discuss the proposed opening of an information and drop-in centre and had opposed the plans since they were submitted.

They said there was no need for non-retail premises in a main shopping street.

They also pointed out that Nelson town centre was going 'downhill' with at least five shops standing empty in Scotland Road and said the empty premises could not just be filled with non-retail businesses simply to fill the gap.

Moira Ormerod, of the Building Bridges Refugee and Asylum Seekers Support Group, said she was disappointed the application had been refused but said she understood the reasons behind it.

She said: "We understand the desire of shopkeepers in the area to see only retail outlets there. I, too, would like to see Scotland Road as it used to be.

"However, so many premises are now vacant that we must accept this is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future.

"The council are trying to find somewhere else suitable for us as quickly as possible and who knows it could very well be nicer than this one.

"The main point was that the council offered us this site rent free for three years as we don't have any money."

A spokesman for Pendle Council said: "The decision was in response to the concerns of local traders.

"We didn't believe that it would have an adverse effect on trading in the town centre, which is why officers accepted the application, but at the meeting attended by traders and local councillors, the councillors went with the view of the traders."