PLANS for new apartments at a fire-ravaged former Conservative Club have been scaled back.

Last year, Hyndburn Council’s planning committee approved proposals to convert the former Accrington Conservative Club in Cannon Street into 26 apartments.

The Cannon Street building, which is Grade II listed and dates back to 1890, was partly demolished in May 2016 after it was ravaged by a huge fire.

But now a new application has been submitted proposing to build just 19 flats.

If approved, developers would seek to build 19 one-bedroom apartments across four floors, along with 10 parking spaces.

In a design and access statement submitted as part of the application, agent Duncan Isherwood of Clitheroe-based Sunderland Peacock& Associates said: "The building has been largely demolished as a result of fire which has affected the significance

of the building and its contribution to the street scene.

"The proposed development consists of a new apartment building which incorporates the remains of the former Conservative Club in order to provide a new optimum viable use for the site which will sustain and enhance the remaining facade of the former Conservative Club.

"Attempting to re-produce such a building is likely to result in an unwanted pastiche affecting authenticity as well as potential failure in achieving the required results.

"It was unfortunate that the former Conservative Club remains as part of a facade in comparison to its once towering grandeur. "However through a new optimum viable use, what remains can be conserved and sustained whilst also maintaining

and enhancing the street scene within the conservation area through the incorporation of a new modern apartment block that will provide new living accommodation within this historic setting.

The club, formerly the biggest Conservative Club in the north west, was left in a dangerous condition after burning for almost 24 hours on May 18, 2016.

More than 50 firefighters were called from across the county to tackle the flames.

The historic club, which opened in 1891, used to attract a crowd of around 1,000 people from all over the north west and boasted the best sprung dancefloor in the North.

It was converted into a nightclub in the 1990s but closed in 2003 after a customer was killed outside.