A FORMER 17th Century manor house is to be converted into housing after councillors gave plans the seal of approval.

The Coal Clough House, off Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, will be turned into three houses and five more houses will be built on the site.

The building, which dates back to 1638, suffered £500,000 worth of fire damage after a blaze in 2004 which gutted the pub.

It then reopened as The Bangla indian restaurant three years later but that closed last year.

Coun Frank Cant said: “I welcome this scheme, it is good to see something positive in the area.

“Bringing a building of this stature back to life is something that has to be applauded.”

Lancashire County Council’s archaeology service said the area has the potential to contain historic remains that are associated with medieval settlement, and have asked for an archaeological record to be kept, and a ‘watching brief’ be maintained while the work is carried out.