THE site of a former country residence destroyed by fire in the early 20th century could be brought back into use.

The site at Hill Top Farm in Belmont is currently vacant and overgrown but was formerly occupied as a country residence owned by Edward Deakin, former High Sheriff of Lancashire.

Plans were approved in 1997 to build a 28-bedroom country house hotel on the site but the development never went ahead.

Now an application has been submitted to build six homes on the land, which contains foundations for what was proposed to be Hill Top Farm Hotel.

The original country residence burned down in 1908.

A statement submitted as part of the application reads: “The proposed individually designed dwellings are of exceptional design quality, while blending with the sensitive nature of their local landscape.

“Each dwelling will offer the area of Blackburn with Darwen Council a deliverable site, while providing high-quality family dwellings to try and retain and recruit high earners and their families to the borough.

“Large family homes are currently not being delivered in the borough and this scheme will present a rare opportunity to provide six within an area that is likely to attract the target audience.

“It therefore has an important role to play in the historic landscape of Belmont and the surrounding area.

“The position and design of the country residence provided a basis for the hotel design and now the current proposals.

“The proposed dwellings and ancillary infrastructure occupy a similar curtilage to the original residence and benefit from the same outlook."

Edward Deakin also owned Belmont Bleach Works.