AN EYESORE site which has seen repeated huge waste fires involving plastic could be transformed into a 150-home estate.

Dennis Rogers has submitted plans to build the homes on the former V10 Polymers site in Paterson Street, Blackburn.

Mr Rogers’ company, Driftdale Ltd, bought the site in November 2017 shortly after it was the scene of four major fires in the space of a few months.

In total more than 100 firefighters spent days battling the blazes.

Several streets were evacuated as thick black smoke, which could be seen as far as the M65, rose up from the site.

The Environment Agency sealed off parts of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to make sure contaminated water did not spread to other areas.

If given planning consent by Blackburn with Darwen Council, Mr Rogers plans to build 150 homes on the 1.67 hectare site.

Carole Davis, who runs the Clifton Arms pub, which backs onto the site, said she was pleased to see an application had been made.

She said: “It’s been a very long time coming once again.

“We are very pleased something has been put in place for this eyesore.

“Hopefully this will reduce the risk of more fires.

“Residents can’t wait as you can imagine, I’m sure the value of their properties will increase when this waste is finally removed.”

In December 2017, Mr Rogers met with residents to discuss the future of the site.

At the meeting, Mr Rogers said: “There will be ongoing works to clear the site ahead of construction and we ask neighbours to bear with us whilst we do this necessary work.

“This time next year we hope to have developed the first phase of the site which will provide a vast improvement for residents in the area have had to put up with this eyesore of a site for many years.

“I understand it’s been a difficult and uncertain time and hope this has given residents some much needed reassurances.”

Mr Rogers also confirmed he was committed to employing people from the area to build the homes.

On hearing the planning application had been submitted, a Paterson Street resident said: “I remember waking up on that day and seeing all the fire engines and the smoke.

“The waste is horrible to look at and it needs to go.

“People will be very pleased to hear it will be turned into houses.”

The application will be debated at a planning committee meeting in due course.