COUNCILLORS are being urged to turn down a bid to buy a local authority-owned property.

Pendle Council has received a bid for shop premises at 17 Manchester Road in Nelson.

The bid will be discussed by the council’s policy and resources committee next week but council bosses say a decision to dispose of the freehold would take away control from the council and may affect future town centre redevelopment.

They are instead urging members to allow an extension of the lease, which they say would let the council maintain some control and a premium would be received.

Hywel Lebbon, of Pendle Council's property management company Liberata, said: "17 Manchester Road forms part of a larger freehold site owned by the council which also includes Nos 15, 19 and 21 Manchester Road.

"It is subject to an 87 year lease to RHW Properties from 21st November 1978 for which a premium of £12,000 was paid and at a fixed rent of £5 per annum, and the lease allowed construction of a retail shop and offices.

"The lease has recently been varied to allow two residential flats to the first floor of the building and planning permission has been granted.

"A decision to dispose of the freehold would take away control from the council and may affect future Town Centre redevelopment. An extension of the lease would allow the council to maintain some control and a premium would be received.

"The majority of other council owned sites of commercial premises are occupied on leases no longer than 125 years, and for this reason the recommendation is for the remaining 46 year term of the lease to be extended by 79 years with payment of a premium to be negotiated."