AN OFFICE building that has been empty for years and the wasteland around it will be turned into housing after planning consent was granted.

Developers have been given permission by Blackburn with Darwen Council to level Mayfield House in Tockholes Road and build six new homes on the site.

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Local businessman and landowner Dave Standen, who owns PrintOne UK in Grimshaw Street, plans to build the six houses as two sets of semi-detached homes with single detached houses on either side of the development, and each house will have a driveway big enough for two cars, plus a front yard and grassed garden.

A planning document submitted on Mr Standen’s behalf by ATC Construction Design Ltd said: “Currently there is a commercial single storey building on the site that has been vacant for several years.

“The proposed plot is surrounded by other domestic properties and a further commercial building, which is currently attached to Mayfield House.

“The site has been vacated for several years and both the building and the site has fallen into disrepair. The current building is a poor construction and has reached the end of its useful life.

“The proposed properties will replace the existing Mayfield House which is in a very poor state.

“The building is not in keeping with the surrounding residential properties. To the rear Mayfield house is a large overgrown area which is regularly used by fly tippers and has a lot of anti social behaviour.

“The proposal will remove this eyesore and provide something that is in keeping with the area thus improving the street scene.”

Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith said it wasn’t the first time planning permission had been granted for the site but he was hopeful work could begin this time.

He said: “It is an eyesore at the moment and hopefully this time the landowner will start to build the houses soon and tidy the site up.”