PLANS have been submitted to build nine apartments on the site of the former liberal club in Darwen following spates of vandalism.

The club, built in the mid-19th century as a domestic villa, has been vacant since 2011 and local councillors have been vocal about the need for a new use of the site after the Blackburn Road building became an eyesore and a spot plagued by anti-social behaviour.

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In 2013, a planning application was lodged by developer Karl Baxter to build a large children’s nursery on the site but it was turned down – with the council stating it would have a detrimental impact on neighbours.

But now, Mr Baxter is confident that building apartments on the site, which will be sold by Hunters Estate Agents, will be accepted.

He said: “We want to obviously put a stop to the vandalism and I’m confident that this time the council will grant permission to us to develop the site.

“If it is accepted, within three or four months we should be able to knock down the building and start the work.”

In the past, travellers have set up camp at the club and vandals have been seen throwing bricks at the building.

Darwen MP Jake Berry said recently that he was deeply worried about the state of the building and wanted to see it redeveloped urgently to ward off anti-social behaviour.

He said: “I’ve been really worried that because the building is currently unsecured, it has become the target of vandals and a hotspot of anti social behaviour.

“The fact that our buildings have been subject to vandalism is unacceptable and I am really pleased that someone has come forward with a plan for this site and I hope that if approved the development will move forward quickly and provide nice new homes for the people of Darwen.”

Earcroft councillor and town mayor Trevor Maxfield said he was pleased to hear that there were plans to do something with the site as the demolition is long overdue.

He said: “Something definitely needs to be done because it looks awful and it’s been vandalised a lot over the last 12 months.

“Kids have been getting in and breaking things and all sorts.

"So its positive to hear this site is hopefully going to get sorted out.”