COUNCIL bosses are looking to sell off a business centre in Blackburn - just as marketing begins on a prestige development.

Town hall chiefs approved to dispose of Brookhouse Business Park, off Whalley Range, if the right buyer can be found.

The announcement comes as the first warehouses at the new Mill Bank Business Park, close to junction four of the M65, are brought to the market.

Councillors sitting on the borough’s executive board have been told there are certain strategic assets which the authority are looking to divest though.

And the Labour administration is willing to forego the rental income stream for a one-off capital receipt.

Executive member for growth and development, Cllr Phil Riley, said the site would be sold off at auction at a date yet to be confirmed.

Finance boss Cllr Andy Kay added: "It's about managing our assets and encouraging investment wherever we can.

"We will see further attempts to do this sort of thing because we have got to keep developing our industrial businesses - we can't just stand still.

"The estate currently has six occupational tenants.

"Over the years the estate has proved resource intensive to manage.

"Whilst the estate generally attracts local businesses it has not normally been of particular appeal to users from the wider borough and region.

"Now is believed a suitable time to dispose of the property for the council to realise a capital receipt and focus its resources on estates which are better at promoting inward investment type users and employment creation."

Meanwhile the initial properties at Mill Bank industrial estate, off Lower Eccleshill Road, are also expected to spark interest.

Six detached industrial units have been pencilled in for the site, also bordered by Milking Lane, as part of a joint venture between the borough council and Nelson-based Barnfield Properties.

Property agents Taylor Weaver say they will vary in size from 10,000 to 30,000 square feet, with the rental price ranging from £5,417 per month, for a minimum 10-year lease.

One hundred new homes and a careers hub will also form part of a wider package, which was awarded £1.4million for a new link road back in October.