COUNCILLORS have given the green light to transform Barnoldswick's redundant Rainhall Road School into a community hub for the whole of West Craven.

Full planning permission was granted on Tuesday for the change of use of the school into a mixed development incorporating a community hall, business support centre, training centre and office use.

The application was submitted by the West Craven Together group, which has been offered a 99-year lease on the building by Lancashire County Council, including a 100 per cent grant to cover the £18,000 yearly rent.

The redevelopment of the school, which closed in 2001 due to falling pupil numbers, is part of the Market Towns Initiative.

Members of the public have already been consulted on the plans and have given their thumbs up to the scheme.

At a meeting of the West Craven Area Committee on Tuesday, Coun Allan Buck welcomed the application.

"This school has been empty ever since I moved to Barnoldswick. It has just generally been running down and now we have got the opportunity to turn this building into a superb community centre.

"This is going to benefit everyone in West Craven. It is something that we should welcome with open arms," he said.

There was some concern from a nearby resident, who expressed fears over security at the site.

"We have a big problem at night," he told members.

"I think it is a good thing, but you have got to take these things into account."

The resident said there was an ongoing problem with vandals climbing onto the roof and breaking windows.

But Coun Buck responded: "I think his concerns about the site are based on the present building being empty.

"Once the site is being used, especially with lots and lots of people using it day and night, seven days a week, the situation should improve.

"We are putting in security cameras in the town so I don't think the objector needs to worry as much. All we have got now is an empty building. You can't compare that to a building that is in full use."

Coun Buck added: "I think this is a great scheme and I think everyone is going to benefit from it.

"It is going to be something that West Craven can be proud of."

West Craven Together project manager Hanna Atkinson told the meeting the former school building had stood empty for four years and its redevelopment would provide an exciting opportunity for the area.

"The community wants to see this building put to good use and I believe we are the organisation to make this successful," she said.

And a report to the committee added: "The application would re-use a well built and attractive building.

"A new community facility in such a building will regenerate this corner of the conservation area as well as provide services for the wider community."