A derelict nursing home is set to be demolished with a new housing development taking its place.

County council chiefs have confirmed the Hill Top site in Baxenden will be pulled down. They want to see housing built which will be in keeping with the surrounding area.

Bosses said development proposals will formally be considered in the next few weeks.

Resident Ann McEvoy, of the Christchurch Residents Area group, said it was ‘great news’.

She said: “It seems to be moving in the right direction, finally. People have put up with this for a long time and the state of it is appalling.

“As long as they won’t try to put too many houses on the site then that would be our preferred option too.”

Campaigners were successful two years ago in stopping plans for 36 care apartments at the site after the planning application was rejected by Hyndburn council.

Lancashire County Council leader Jennifer Mein said they are currently arranging for the demolition of the former Hill Top building and hope to carry it out ‘in the near future’.

She said: “All options for the site have been explored by the county council’s regeneration partners, including elderly care and sheltered housing, but the preferred option is for a housing development in keeping with the local area.

“Over a number of years, the county council attempted to develop an extra care sheltered housing scheme for this site.

“However, it wasn’t possible to gain planning permission for a viable scheme.”

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said he was delighted with the announcement.

He said: “My appeal to the County Council now is to come forward in a positive and constructive manner, to work with the local authority, and look at the options of providing sheltered accommodation with a private sector partner.

“I don’t think the previous scheme of houses being sold for £140,000 was either inclusive or fair and it excluded a lot of pensioners for whom that would provide much-needed assistance.

“There has to be a rental scheme as then all pensioners have the opportunity to have one of the homes.”

A housing development proposal is due to be formally considered by the council in the next few weeks.