A FORMER pub in Colne is set to be transformed into a short-term, live-in, rehabilitation facility for recovering addicts.

Rumours had been circulating on social media that the former Queen’s Hotel in Burnley Road had been earmarked as a refuge for asylum seekers.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Pendle Borough Council recently granted planning permission, for change of use for the former pub to a house in multiple occupation with 11 units, to Colne contractor Greg Whiteoak.

Mr Whiteoak, a great-grandfather of two, is a well-known charity worker in the town and is funding the project.

He was the inspiration behind the Colne Citadel which provides a home for Inspire drug and alcohol treatment service and space for community groups.

He aims to open the rehab facility by August — and hopes it will help people back into everyday life and teach them life skills.

Mr Whiteoak was inspired to start the project after a member of his family was affected by addiction.

He said: “It is for people who are about 90 per cent of the way through rehab and it will be a manager running it. People will be living there short-term. That is where my heart is — helping people back to recovery. We hope to help lots of people and give something back to the community.

“If anyone is using a substance or drinking, we can have them evicted.”

His wife Julie, who is assisting with the project, said: “What we found in Colne was that there is nowhere for these people. We just think that in Colne there is a need for it. People who have gone through addiction find it difficult to get housing. It is for people who have gone through a recovery programme.”

Deputy leader at Pendle Borough Council, Lord Tony Greaves, said there were no objections to the planning application.

He said: “It will be fully supervised and it will be an asset to the area to help people get back on their feet.

“The story about it being for asylum seekers is silly.

“Greg is a semi-retired, self-employed person who is using some of his money to benefit the community.

“I have every confidence in his ability to make a success of this.”

The Queen's was a once popular pub but closed in 2014.