PLANS for the redevelopment of the former Grand Cinema site in Nelson are expected to get the go-ahead next week.

The proposals would see the site of the historic cinema building, which burned down in 2001, transformed into offices, shops and a new cinema.

A compulsory purchase order for the site was agreed in January by Pendle Council's Executive and discussions with the North West Development Agency have secured outline approvals for a £1.7million cash injection.

The former Grand Cinema, built in 1888 as a theatre, had been transformed into Equinox nightclub before it burned down three years ago.

What remained of the building was demolished shortly after as it was unsafe and the site has been derelict ever since.

The site for the new proposals is bordered by Market Street, Cross Street, Russell Street and Back Scotland Road and the plans include altering the latter to provide access.

It also includes other single-storey buildings and the Salvation Army site.

The outline application is for a 500-employee office block with a cinema with 28 parking spaces. All other matters relating to the site would be reserved for future decision.

A report to the Nelson Committee states: "The site has been in a part derelict and parlous state since the former Grand Cinema was damaged and the defective structure removed.

"This application seeks to regenerate the site, and with it the wider central area of Nelson, by the removal of the existing buildings and erection of a single multiple use building."

The report concludes: "The site in its present condition detracts from the appearance of the centre of Nelson and the redevelopment in a holistic way would support the regeneration of the town."

The scheme is recommended for approval when it goes before a meeting of the Nelson Committee at Nelson Town Hall on Monday at 7pm.