A FORMER home of the Thwaites family is set to be returned to its former glory - 50 years after it began falling into disrepair.

But by giving approval to the restoration of Woodfold Hall in the Ribble Valley and the construction of a racehorse training ground in its grounds, councillors have effectively shelved plans to create one of the North West's largest parks.

Members of Ribble Valley Council's planning and development committee were told that Lancashire County Council had suggested the land around the Mellor property could be used to create a large extension to Witton Park in Blackburn - helping create one of the largest public open spaces in the North West.

But councillors went ahead with the proposed development and have given their approval to the proposed conversion of Woodfold Hall - a Grade II listed building which dates back to 1798 - and its various outhouses into 42 flats and houses.

New horse racing stables would be placed in the parkland, housing up to 78 horses, with gallops for exercising the horses also being created.

According to a report presented to the committee, around 15 jobs will be created at the stables.

Councillors approved the plans, subject to various conditions being agreed with the developer. They were told the race training facility was vital for the whole development and the restoration could not go ahead without it.

The hall was once owned by Daniel Thwaites, the Blackburn brewer. He owned it from 1877 and until the Second World War it was occupied by relatives and descendants of his family.

The hall was last occupied during the war, when elderly evacuees from Liverpool lived there. After that, it fell into disrepair, with several of the buildings, including the hall, currently without part of their roofs.

Some 15 homes would be created in the hall itself, with the remainder being created in various outhouses and the former stable block.

The new plans supersede proposals to create a golf course on the site. That planning application was made the subject of a public inquiry around 10 months ago, but it was postponed.

Instead, Reilly Developments of Euxton, near Chorley, submitted the new plan.

Coun Chris Holtom, who represents the area on Lancashire County Council, said: "I am very pleased this scheme is going ahead.

"My concerns about the traffic impact on the area have been dealt with and it will be good to see the building restored to its former glory.

"The idea about extending Witton Park was a good one, and it is a shame that it probably won't happen."