EIGHT new houses have been planned on the site of the former Highfield Working Men’s Club, which has been described as an eyesore.

Since the club shut in 2012 after staff had trouble paying for bills, there have been consistent problems with vandalism and anti-social behaviour around the building, including an incident in May 2013 when the upstairs was set on fire by arsonists.

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Now agents Jennings and Gilchreaste Limited have put forward plans to develop eight new homes with new access on the site which Marsh House councillor Simon Huggill said he fully supports.

He said: “The old working men’s club is an absolute eyesore and has attracted vandalism for a long time. My worry has been that there is going to be an accident there one day.

“I think putting houses up there is a much better option than trying to revive the club which I just don’t think is viable.

“My hope is that it is not just an exercise in enhancing the value of the land and I really hope they do actually develop it into houses.”

The club opened in a large detached house in Ratcliffe Street in 1908 and in its heyday it had a membership of more than 500.

But it suffered from a steady decline in trade from the mid-1960s onwards as it gradually struggled with debts and losing members.

Cllr Dave Smith said he had no hesitation in agreeing with the proposed plan.

The Labour councillor for Sunnyhurst said: “Houses have been rumoured for a good while and I would think the locals will welcome this as there has been such a lot of vandalism around there.”

Cllr Brian Taylor said: “I would welcome any plans to develop that area because it is an eyesore. We have a local plan to build more houses and so this will help greatly.”

More on the plans is to be revealed soon by Blackburn with Darwen Council.