A LONG-DELAYED flagship £12.5million extra-care housing scheme for the elderly is now set to welcome residents within weeks.

The problem-plagued canalside redevelopment of Albion Mill in Ewood, Blackburn, has been hit by coronavirus and its main contractor going into administration in December 2019.

The project's original start date in 2014 was delayed and its opening, originally scheduled for August 2018, has been delayed twice after work was disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council's adult social care boss Cllr Mustafa Desai has revealed it will open by the end of next month.

In a report to the authority's full Council Forum on Thursday he said: "We are pleased to now be close to opening this fantastic new development in Blackburn, predicted for August and recruitment of staff has really picked up pace."

Albion Mill will provide 109 beds, including 50 extra care apartments, 31 en-suite rooms for intermediate care to cater for elderly people discharged from hospital, 24 dementia apartments and four rehabilitation apartments.

Cllr Jacquie Slater, the Conservative adult social care spokeswoman, welcomed the news but said: "There must be a full investigation into the delays with this project so they do not happen again."

Cllr Desai's report said:"Final preparations are taking place to ensure a vibrant and busy community atmosphere.

"The teams are working through referrals to support independent living and opportunities for individuals to lead a fuller life with the new housing with care scheme, also known as extra care housing.

"The intermediate care facility is being inspected by Care Quality Commission for registration approval which will provide high quality, person-centred, short-term therapy led provision to residents from their own home as ‘step up’ and to those being discharged from hospital as ‘step down’.

"Albion Mill is designed with a community hub to provide community activities for residents and the wider community.

"The concierge service will run these activities with the support of the brand new Friends of Albion Mill voluntary group, which already has 30 volunteers and has been successful with a £10,000 lottery bid for equipment."

Roy Kenny, chief executive of developer Verum Victum Healthcare said: "We are in the process of the final snagging checks and will had Albion Mill over the the council by the end of this month."

Council leader Cllr Mohammed Khan said: "This will be a fantastic scheme. What can you do about problems like a contractor going out of business and the coronavirus pandemic?"