PLANS for one of the most iconic building in Leigh has been delayed - again - to ensure the proposals which go before the council are in the best possible shape.

Businessman and owner Mick Norcross, 53, said he was working hard to make sure the application would get passed by the council so the Grand Hotel structure could finally be saved and rejuvenated before its too late.

He said: “Yes, it is frustrating.

“It is taking longer than we thought it would, I have owned the place for a year and one month now and I am eager to get started on the project.”

Mr Norcross said there had been an issue with the “viability report”, but would not go into specifics.

He said: “We have asked the council for an extension so that we can narrow our differences and hopefully get the plans approved.

“We haven’t made any changes to the application, but the viability report needed more work - on both sides. We have worked hard to add a lot of more detail about the work that needs to be done and the return we will see. Then it up to them to go through it.

Mr Norcross said he had also asked council officers to visit the site to see everything first hand the work that needs to be done because the hotel has been left empty for so long. He added: “We are inviting the planning committee to come and see the gigantic task ahead of us.”

The viability report looks at the whole project, including the cost of work.

The application was due to go before Southend’s development committee this month - two months after it was originally scheduled to be sorted.

A council spokesperson said: “Discussions are on-going with the applicant in respect of the financial viability of the scheme.

“This will determine whether or not affordable housing can be provided as part of the development.”

Mr Norcross added: “If council officers decided the scheme would be profitable, there would have to be a contribution to affordable housing.”

The plans include a ground floor restaurant and terrace, a basement wine bar and health club, plus 19 self-contained flats on three floors, as well as a penthouse roof extension.