A BUYER has been found for a historic listed mansion that has fallen into disrepair.

Griffin Lodge and Griffin Coach House in Blackburn will be sold off if the council’s executive board agrees at a meeting tomorrow.

The largely concealed Grade Two-listed property, built in the early 19th century, sits in two-and-a-half acres of grounds in the middle of Griffin Park.

Formerly used as a workshop by the Lancashire Museum Service, it has been up for sale since 2010 after standing empty for three years.

Its sale was decided as part of the council’s £33million savings plan drive. According to the executive board agenda, if the sale goes ahead it could cost over £100,000 for the new owner to fix dry rot.

The property, which is a popular hang out for young people, drug takers and drinkers, has also suffered several lead thefts.

Martin Berry, from nearby Lansdowne Road said: “If it’s sold it will be an improvement.

“Being empty has just attracted unpleasant people. I even got offered drugs around there.”

Mill Hill councillor Carol Walsh said: “I think it’s a good thing that someone has shown an interest.

“I’m not bothered what it’s used for. I just don’t want it to be irreparably damaged through neglect.”

If the sale cannot be agreed, arrangements to dispose of the site by public auction or private treaty would be considered.

The council said it would not reveal the provisionally agreed amount for the lodge and coach house until it had been discussed at the meeting.

Commenting on the prospective sale, Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for regeneration, said: “The sale is great news. It will be turned into a residential dwelling with workshop, garage and recreational area.”

A BRIEF HISTORY OF GRIFFIN LODGE

  • Griffin Lodge and coach house were built in 1824 by the Blackburn cotton magnate Thomas Dugdale who was instrumental in bringing the first railway to the town.
  • Dugdale was also mayor of Blackburn in 1854/5 in which time the surrounding 50 acres of land were purchased by the Blackburn Corporation to be used as a public park.
  • The house remained owned by the Dugdale family until the mid 1930s. It was bought by Blackburn Corporation in 1937.
  • The entrance and stone setts of roadway were Grade II listed in 1974 with the whole building being included under the listing in 1986.
  • The coach house has stood empty for more than 10 years and has been the subject of several attempted sales by the council since the mid 1990s.