DEMOLITION of two derelict office blocks on an ‘eyesore’ site near the M65 to clear the land for a new multi-million pound business park has started.

Council bosses hope that the brownfield land off Greenbank Terrace near Milking Lane in Lower Darwen will create jobs and new homes.

The area has had a chequered history, with plans to build 180 homes on the the site collapsing in November 2015.

Now the site of the former Lower Darwen Paper Mill has been purchased as a joint venture between Blackburn with Darwen Council and Barnfield Construction.

They hope to develop the land near Junction 4 of the M65 as a business park, bringing new jobs to the area, and for housing.

An outline planning application detailing the proposals will be submitted to the borough council next month.

Cllr John Slater, leader of the borough Conservative group, who represents Blackburn South and Lower Darwen ward, welcomed the news and said the scheme would include an education and careers hub and at least a dozen industrial units

Permission had already been granted to knock down the two disused office blocks fronting on to Greenbank Terrace, and demolition started this week.

Cllr Phil Riley, executive member for regeneration, said: “This site has been out of use for years for various reasons so it is a really positive move to see work starting and it really is a fantastic location.

“The council has been looking at options for this site for some time so this partnership with Barnfield is a positive move and I look forward to seeing the progress.”

Cllr Slater said: “This is really good news and the right thing to do.

“This site has been an eyesore for some years.

“Darwen’s MP Jake Berry and I have been working very hard to bring development to this site.

“We recently met with Tim Webber, chairman of Barnfield, and Philip Akrill, chief executive of Manor Property Group, to discuss their plans for the site.

“They plan to build an education and careers hub, the first in the borough, and at least 12 industrial units. There will also be 70 to 80 houses.

“They will be investing millions of pounds.”