A DROP-in support and advice centre for Pendle's asylum seekers and refugees is to be demolished and replaced with new and better facilities open to all socially excluded sections of the community.

The new drop-in centre will be in a former furniture shop in Nelson. The house next door will be used as a reception area and office for asylum seekers and refugees.

The Building Bridges inter-faith community group has applied for planning permission for the centre at a former shop and house in North Street, Nelson.

If approved it will provide a drop-in support and advice centre a with refreshment and meeting area.

It is also planned that there should be a reception area and office in the house next door.

Pendle has about 350 asylum seekers and refugees living in the area.

Planning officer Barry Mather will report to the Nelson Committee on Monday.

He will say that, bearing in mind the predominantly commercial use of the block of property and its close proximity to shops in Scotland Road, he considers the community/social use to be appropriate.

In his report he adds: "Provided that meeting and refreshment facilities are restricted to No 1 (the former furniture shop) and with No 3 (the house) being kept for office and reception, I do not think the proposal would adversely affect the residential amenity of No 5 or the houses opposite."

He added that the proposal was unlikely to affect traffic or parking conditions in North Street as most visitors would be likely to come on foot.

Any responses from the public to the application will be reported at the meeting on Monday.

The Rev Sally Thomas, a member of the executive of Building Bridges and chairman of the asylum seekers and refugees sub group, said the drop-in centre would provide a facility where any socially excluded people could meet, including refugees and asylum seekers.

She said: "We will be providing drinks and snacks if not free then very cheaply indeed. And it will also be a place where they can meet and socialise and make friends."