A DEAL has been struck for developers to take on a former care home site and build new homes.

The site in Salisbury Road, Darwen, had once housed Greenways care home, a residential premises for old and infirm residents, but fell into disrepair and become a target for vandals after its closure in 2013

The closure was part of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s shake-up of elderly care which saw its four borough-run homes close to save cash and allow modern, privately-run developments to take their place.

The site was demolished in 2015 and had been earmarked by a developer for a state-of-the-art unit for short-term rehabilitation stays and some specialist dementia services.

Regeneration boss, Cllr Phil Riley said: "Despite the Council engaging with over 147 developers/agents through an informal tender process which established interest in the site, the marketing generated minimal interest as only one tender was returned by the closing date.

"Despite only receiving one formal tender bid, the large number of engaged developers/agents is strong evidence that a wide range of potential purchasers were given the opportunity to bid and therefore the Council is satisfied that the purchase price represents ‘best consideration reasonably obtainable’."

It is expected developers will plan to build 10 new homes on the site, which council bosses say will attract new homes bonus and additional council tax as well as cash from the sale of the land.