THE owner of two properties crucial to a multi-million pound regeneration scheme in Blackburn has agreed to sell them.

The dispute between businessman John Khattir and the borough council threatened to delay or even jeopardise the project to turn part of the town centre into a heritage, leisure, food and drink quarter.

Agreement on a price for The Godfather takeaway and the neighbouring Blakey Moor Newsagents removes the final obstacle to the £3.8million scheme to turn the Northgate area into a visitor attraction proceeding swiftly.

In April last year Blackburn with Darwen Council started the process to compulsorily purchase 11 to 17 Blakey Moor Terrace from Mr Khattir if a deal could not be struck.

It could have taken up to two years, putting at risk a previously-secured £1.5million Heritage Lottery grant and the whole scheme.

The council owns the remainder of the terrace, and negotiations to relocate the two businesses remaining are under way. Mr Khattir has closed and emptied The Godfather of equipment.

The five-year Blakey Moor Townscape Heritage Project, which includes a major facelift for King George’s Hall, aims to create an area of cafes, coffee houses and bars with open space for residents and visitors to relax.

Works to improve the public space on Blakey Moor and around Gladstone’s statue will begin in the early summer, with improvements to the terrace itself starting soon after.

Borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said: “This is a major step forward. We agreed a price that Mr Khattir considered fair and met the council’s legal requirements to ensure value for taxpayers' money.

“I am delighted that we could reach a deal without a compulsory purchase order which is an expensive and lengthy process whose outcome is unpredictable.”

Council Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater said: “This is good news but it has taken far too long to sort out.”

Harriet Roberts, Blackburn Business Improvement District manager, said, “This is great news that the Townscape Heritage Project can now get underway.“This new public space with more leisure opportunities for visitors will help join together the other parts of the town that have already benefited from regeneration.

Mr Khattir was unavailable for comment and is believed to be currently overseas.

Since 2016, when the Council announced the £3 million plan to transform the area around Blakey Moor, Northgate and Lord Street West, commercial interest has increased.

The area has recently seen the opening of a number of new independent businesses including The Lemon Tree, Hugo’s, Shh Bar, The Bees Knees and Mushies.

For more information about the Blakey Moor Townscape Project and to keep up to date with progress, please visit www.blakeymoor.co.uk or follow us on Facebook/Blakeymoor

BACKGROUND

The Blakey Moor Townscape Heritage Project is an ambitious £3 million project to transform the historic heart of Blackburn.

A joint investment by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund, the project will be delivered over the next 4-5 years.

The project is focused on the Northgate Conservation Area in Blackburn town centre and includes properties on Blakey Moor, Northgate and Lord Street West.

It aims to restore and refurbish historic buildings, improve public spaces and provide local people with opportunities for training in traditional building skills. A programme of complementary events and activities will take place alongside the building work and the area’s rich history and heritage will be used to strengthen its unique identity, attract visitors and promote opportunities in the area.

Key elements of the project include:

• Full restoration of the Blakey Moor terrace to its former glory, bringing vacant properties back into commercial use.

• Refurbishment of the front elevation to King George’s Hall.

• Restoration of up to 20 small/mid?size historic properties with the support of 80% grant funding.

• Public space improvements to the area between King George’s Hall and Blakey Moor.

• A heritage skills training programme delivered in partnership with Blackburn College and University Centre.