PLANS for an extra care development comprising 85 apartments and 34 accessible bungalows at Shorey Bank have been officially submitted to the council.

The proposal, which also includes associated communal facilities for residents, has been sent to Blackburn with Darwen Council by developers Keepmoat.

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And if the plans go ahead, the derelict land off Frederick Street, opposite Frank Barnes, which was formerly a gas works, will be transformed and brought back into use for the first time in more than two decades.

In a planning document submitted by Langtry-Langton Architects, a spokesman for the developers said: “The former site of a gas works, the site has housed railway sidings, purifying tanks, chimneys, yards and various buildings.

“Prior to 1993 this entire above-ground infrastructure was removed. The site has since been left derelict and overgrown, with the boundary treatments deteriorating in condition.”

The plans also include a car park with 41 spaces and communal facilities – including a restaurant, bistro and lounge – that will be accessible to older people in the wider community, not just residents of the scheme.

The spokesman said: “Along with the potential for other health and social care partners to use the scheme, the scheme can serve as a community hub thus providing a valuable community resource within the heart of Darwen.

“Wider usage makes the scheme more attractive for those who live there as it prevents institutionalism as well as making it a lively and interesting place to live.”

According to the plans, vehicular access to the scheme would be via a new road in Frederick Street, just down from the junction of Cotton Hall Street.

For pedestrians, a footpath link to the existing path at the end of Nelson Street will be created to provide a more direct route into the town centre.

Consultations have also been undertaken with the council’s public transport co-ordinator in a bid to improve the bus services to the area.