PLANS to bring an eyesore patch of derelict land back into use are progressing.

Earlier this year, Blackburn with Darwen Council approved investment intended to regenerate the site of a former paper mill at Milking Lane in Lower Darwen.

Borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley is to update members on progress at a council forum meeting next week.

In a report to go before the meeting, Cllr Riley said: “Barnfield Blackburn Ltd (BBL), a joint venture between Barnfield and the council, completed the purchase of the Milking Lane development site in July.

“A prior notification planning application has been submitted for approval to demolish the two derelict office blocks with demolition to be undertaken in November.

“BBL is engaging with businesses interested in the site with an outline planning application to be submitted by the end of October 2018.”

Plans to build 180 homes on three sections of land, including the site of the former paper mill in Lower Darwen, collapsed in November 2015 after the developers and borough council failed to sign a section 106 agreement over affordable housing.

The site was formerly home to the Lower Darwen Paper Mill before its demolition and is now relatively undeveloped with the exception of two derelict office buildings which front Greenbank Terrace.

Council bosses say the site is ideally located and will provide much-needed employment land for new businesses for local expansion and inward investment in the borough.

They hope the minority investment by the council, which was approved by executive board members, will help ensure the site is developed and that development is accelerated to generate a positive return on investment for the council and directly support growth in jobs and housing.

The focus for the overall site is to develop businesses on the lower ground together with new family housing on the higher ground.

The proposed developer of the site will receive 25 per cent investment from the council.