A FORMER retirement home in a conservation area is to be demolished and replaced with a large family house.

An adjoining barn is to be incorporated into the new property in Revidge Road, Blackburn.

Imran Kovariwala has been granted permission to knock down the former Higher Ravenswing Home for the Elderly and replace it with a six-bedroom house.

On the advice of Blackburn with Darwen Council planners, he has kept the neighbouring barn and incorporated it into the new property as a recreation space. The new house will have three storeys and a basement.

The design and access statement submitted with the planning application says: “The proposal is to demolish a redundant poor condition nursing home and replace with a new dwelling whilst maintaining/refurbishing the adjoining barn to form a single dwelling

“The use is for the enjoyment of a quality family dwelling. The proposal is broadly based upon the siting of the nursing home.”

A report recommending approval of the scheme in the Corporation Park Conservation Area says: “Retention of the barn element is welcomed, as the proposed use would help sustain the significance of the building.

“This element of the scheme will meet with the duty to preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area and will result in a degree of public benefit through keeping the building in active use, thereby sustaining its presence.

“The loss of the house element will cause some low level harm to the conservation area.

“The house is designed so as to retain a sense of the previous property which maintains a relationship and connection to the adjoining barn. The house element is much altered and likely dates from the mid to late 19th century.

“From the perspective of the golf course to the rear, the proposal represents a significant visual enhancement.”

The report adds: “It should be noted that the key design traits of the principle Revidge Road elevation of the replacement dwelling are broadly reproduced at the rear – ie. gable roof profiling, fenestration, albeit with the addition of more contemporary roof terrace elements.”