Controversial plans to transform Accrington town centre have been rubber stamped by council chiefs.

Hyndburn council has voted to move forward with the £1.5million Accrington Townscape Heritage Initiative, which will see empty town centre properties brought back into use, and create a new town square which will commemorate the losses of the Accrington Pals.

Part of the plan, which caused heated debate at a meeting of cabinet on Wednesday, December 3, will also see the current bus station on Peel Street converted into a car park.

Conservative group leader councillor Peter Britcliffe said the THI in its current form was ‘wrong’ and called for more consultation with traders.

Addressing council leader Miles Parkinson, coun Britcliffe said: “I think you have got this wrong, at a time when the bus station is moving away from that area of the town you don’t want to cut off the entrance to the town centre for cars.

“When the bus station moves the cars will be the lifeblood of the town centre, you have got to look at this carefully or you will go down as the leader who killed Accrington town centre. Traders are very concerned about this.”

Conservative councillor Kath Pratt added: “You will cut Accrington in half, the buildings left on the other side will die.”

Council leader Miles Parkinson hit back, saying that investment would help create a ‘vibrant’ and ‘viable’ town centre.

He said: “People’s shopping habits have changed, this is a move forward to reflect that.

“We are being practical and we are going to deliver the improvements and get some investment into the town. We are going to work with market traders on this to make sure Accrington does have a future.”

Council officers are currently in consultation with designers over the revamp plans.