The next step towards making Darwen’s planned £12million village for older people a reality will take place in the next week.

The application for planning permission for the 119-apartment complex will be made before the end of the month.

Borough housing boss Yusuf Jan-Virmani will report to tomorrow’s full meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council.

He will say that detailed talks with private sector partner Keepmoat are now well advanced.

The scheme, to be constructed over the next three years, will build on the success of the 60-home Kingsway development with its round-the-clock support, restaurant, and hairdresser.