THE Blackburn property company redeveloping the former Thwaites stables block in the town centre has lodged plans for a further 15 business and industrial units on the site.

Last month EP Properties was granted permission to turn the more recent part of the buildings used for the brewery's shire horses into 10 similar premises.

Now it has lodged a planning application with Blackburn with Darwen Council for 15 more units of between 300 and 1500 square feet at the older end of the site near Eanam Old Road

The firm run by Zakir Issa, brother of the EG Group’s Mohsin and Zuber, bought the stables in Eanam from Thwaites last summer after it moved from the nearby brewery to Mellor Brook.

The new units - aimed at construction, light manufacturing, storage and distribution businesses - are expected to take three months to complete.

EP Properties already has several potential tenants attracted by the site's road, public transport, and motorway links. The design of the units aims to blend into the existing site giving the new 'Eanam Business Centre' a vintage feel.

A planning statement by Urban Futures says the scheme would fit in with the Eanam Wharf Conservation Area and contribute towards the council’s employment land supply’.

It says: "The former Thwaites Stables block which has been vacant for many years and in a state of abandonment.

"The applicant seeks to put the vacant buildings to effective use and considers the location - within an existing commercial area and close to a large industrial estate - an ideal setting. The new premises would be occupied by new or expanding local businesses in need of such accommodation"

Arif Patel, EP's property director said: “Thwaites has strong historical significance to Blackburn and we saw an opportunity to maintain the history of Thwaites whilst meeting some of the industrial demand.

"Blackburn has seen substantial levels of growth in its industrial sector which is a testament to the town being one of the leading businesses hubs in the North-West.

"EP Properties own a lot of property in Blackburn. Our roots are firmly vested in the town and we are proud to be based here.

"Given our close connections with Blackburn, our desire to maintain the history of the site and our expertise in the industrial market, developing this site was an opportunity we felt we had to take.”

Cllr John Slater, council Tory group leader, said: "I welcome this reuse of historic building and investment in the town."

He added: " It will provide much-needed and much appreciated jobs. As long as the architecture fits in with the area, I have no problem with it."