A FORMER care home closed by Lancashire County Council, could be demolished to make way for new houses.

Plans to replace Peel Court, Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, with 17 terrace houses and two apartments have been submitted to Hyndburn Council.

The care home was one of 32 county council homes to be closed and sold off, despite widespread opposition from residents, their relations and the public.

It was bought at auction by Manchester property speculator Andrew Booth for £200,000, but has stood empty since September 2003.

Speaking at the time of the sale, held at Manchester Airport, Mr Booth said he was willing to see it stay redundant until the council granted him the planning permission he needed to turn it into flats or retail units.

He said: "''I want to work with the council to find a use for it, but as it stands it's useless. It could stay boarded up for years."'

Since then plans to turn it into a nursery have been rejected, as were proposals for six retail units with flats above. An application for 26 apartments with parking was withdrawn by Mr Booth last July.

Oswaldtwistle Area Council chairman, Coun Peter Britcliffe, said: "'We have been encouraging people to put things forward for that site and this sounds like they are going to clear it all and start again.

"'The area council has been particularly keen to see something done there, but it has to be a suitable development.

"'It is also important that the plans include adequate parking facilities because it is already very crowded around there."'

Last year Acorn Lodge, another of the borough's closed care homes, failed to sell at auction. Coun Paul Barton said he feared the 35-room building, in Nuttall Street, Accrington, would fall into decay.

It remains on sale for offers around £350,000.

Hill Top, in Baxenden, is also empty and has been targeted by vandals. There are plans for housing association Calico to develop the site, but it is still bidding for funding to do the work.