PLANS to convert a former Burnley pub into bedsits have been approved.

Burnley Council planners used delegated powers to approve an application to turn the old Foresters Arms on Todmorden Road into a 14-bedroom house in multiple occupation (HMO).

The pub became notorious in 2006 when previous owners allowed it to be featured on Danny Dyer’s Real Football Factories documentary, which aired on the former tv channel, Bravo.

In one episode, the TV hard man was seen taking part in a meeting between members of the infamous Burnley Suicide Squad.

The pub is also mentioned in gang leader Andrew Porter’s famous Suicide Squad book.

The plans include 11 one-bedroom living spaces over three floors, with three two-bedroom living quarters, each with their own bathrooms.

One large kitchen will be present on the second floor. The proposals also includes yard space and a bike store. There will not be any onsite parking.

A spokesman on behalf of the applicant said: “The building is a long standing public house and has been used as such for many decades.

“It had an association with Burnley Football Club which is nearby.

“However due to changes in the football community, the property became underused, which led to its closure some 18 months ago.

“The property has been vacant since that time.”

Case officer Paula Fitzgerald said: “The application site is classed as social and community infrastructure in line with policy IC5 of the adopted Local Plan by virtue of its previous use as a pub.

“Whilst there is a presumption to safeguard community infrastructure, the site has been vacant for over two years and there are other alternative venues within close proximity.

“The application has been supported with a marketing statement which confirms that the property has been marketed since July 2017.

“The report also details the type of marketing which has taken place.

“It is considered that the applicant has demonstrated sufficient information to show that the property has been actively marketed.

“The scale of the change of use is not detrimental to the wider area and will not conflict with the surrounding uses.

“In principle, the change of use is therefore acceptable.”