A PROVISIONAL deal has been agreed to sell off the site of a former day care centre and allotments.

Plot owners at Tower View off Marsh Lane in Darwen received notice last year that they were being moved off the site to allow Blackburn with Darwen Council to ‘bulldoze’ the land.

Approval was given to the disposal of land at the Tower View site for housing development by informal tender in October and the site was marketed  in November.

But despite the council engaging with potential developers and agents, the marketing was unsuccessful with no tenders being returned by the closing date.

Council bosses say a third party has since expressed an interest in the site and, following the issue of the tender documentation and subsequent negotiation, heads of terms have been provisionally agreed.

The cost of the land and the developer buying it has not been revealed because of commercial sensitivity rules.

Now executive members for regeneration and resources, Cllrs Phil Riley and Andy Kay, have approved the sale of the site.

Allotment users were angry at being evicted last year. Paul Fielding, who has lived in Marsh House Lane for nearly 20 years, said he relied on the allotment to keep him active.

He said: "I'm disgusted that this is going through. One morning we are going to wake up and we'll be looking over a barren wasteland.

"The allotment is the only thing keeping me going, it gives me focus."

A report compiled by Cllrs Riley and Kay states: "A third party has since expressed an interest in the site and, following the issue of the tender documentation and subsequent negotiation, heads of terms have been provisionally agreed as detailed in the part two report.

"Taking into consideration that the informal tender process failed to attract any tenders, the subsequent negotiation with the third party should not present any risk to the council.

"The council is satisfied that the purchase price represents ‘best consideration reasonably obtainable’ and therefore meets the requirements of Section 123 Local Government Act 1972.

"The market had been tested via the informal tender process which failed to attract any tenders and therefore the council will be less susceptible to legal challenge or judicial review of its decision.

"The council’s local plan sets a housing requirement to meet over the 15 year Plan period.

"Development of the site will contribute to meeting this target and assist in improving the quality of the borough’s housing offer.

"The sale and subsequent development of the site will generate a capital receipt and will attract new homes bonuses and council tax for 16 – 20 new homes."