PLANS to turn a former pub into flats have been approved.

Proposals to convert the old Hamilton Arms in Hollin Street, Blackburn, were lodged with Blackburn with Darwen Council in February.

And now the application, which put forward a scheme to convert the pub into three one-bedroom flats and two two-bedroom flats with three car parking spaces included as part of the development, has been approved.

The pub was put up for sale by Admiral Taverns in March 2017 and closed for business later that year.

It has remained empty since then and has been vandalised despite metal shutters being fitted to doors and windows, leaving the building in a dilapidated state.

But it was sold to a developer in June with the intention of converting it to flats because the feasibility of reopening it as a pub was considered unviable

A previous application sought permission for the change of use of the premises to seven flats.

But it was withdrawn after developers received advice from the council the flats were too small and parking and bin facilities were inadequate.

Council planning officer Rebecca Halliwell said: "No supporting information showing that the premise has been marketed has been supplied.

"However it is evident that a number of pubs in Blackburn have suffered from the changes in the economy over the last few years and a number have closed.

"Further to this the public house Hamilton Arms has been running at either break even or losses for a number of years.

"The pub was put up for sale by Admiral Tavern the former landlord in March 2017.

"The pub closed for business in late 2017.

"Once closed the pub was broken into a number of times and vandalised both externally and internally.

"The applicant purchased the pub in June 2018 with a view to develop it into affordable residential apartments as the feasibility of reopening it as a pub was considered totally uneconomical, due to its present dilapidated state, location, size and localised competition from nearby pubs.

"It was noted at the time of the site visit that there is an existing pub located near the application site known as the Havelock Inn.

"Taking this into consideration, along with the information supplied by the agent, it is considered that the change of use of the public house would not result in the loss

of a community facility due to the property being unused for a number of years and the location of a further public house in such close proximity."