CONTROVERSIAL plans to demolish Ashton Institute and sell off part of Ashton Gardens have been finally rubber stamped in a full Fylde Borough Council meeting on Monday night.

Building firm Newfield Jones Homes has been given the green light to erect 60 flats on four floors on the site despite angry protests from local residents and a petition with thousands of signatures slamming the proposals.

Eileen Harvey, along with other members of the Supporters of Ashton Gardens (SAG) presented 3,000 signatures to Fylde Borough before the council meeting in the hope of a last-minute reversal of consent.

Head of planning Paul Drinnan said: "To some extent it will be a loss to the gardens, but it was felt that the benefits of such a residential scheme is more important to the future of the town."