A DERELICT former cotton mill site could become 20 new industrial units.

A planning application has been submitted to transform the fly-tipping plagued scrubland site into a new commercial complex.

Jangeer Yasan want to build the single-storey units on part of the site of the former Roe Lee Mill in Rosewood Avenue, Blackburn,

The bid has been welcomed by Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss and local ward councillor Cllr Phil Riley and his Conservative counterpart Cllr Paul Marrow.

The land is next to the Roe Lee Business Park.

Cllr Riley said: "This site is derelict and been subject to fly-tipping. We would certainly be interested in a scheme that could bring it back into use."

Cllr Marrow said: "New industrial units are to be welcomed. There is shortage of commercial premises in the borough.

"We need such units which will create jobs, growth and prosperity."

Documents submitted with the application say: "The site is located on a vacant plot of land, within the former Roe Lee Mill complex (now home to a diverse range of commercial entities following the closure of the mill some years ago).

"The site is currently a vacant piece of scrubland off Rosewood Avenue.

"The brownfield site is presently under utilised.

"The applicant seeks to put the site to effective use through the introduction of single-storey high-quality industrial units.

"It is envisaged it will be occupied by new and expanding businesses.

"The site will make a valued contribution towards the borough’s employment land and cater for the 21st century business needs.

"The site area is approximately 9,853 square metres.

"The proposed development seeks to provide a new industrial units for mainly local companies.

"They will be located within the vacant site, with car parking provided to the side of the buildings abutting The Farthings Public House.

"It will provide 71 bays, seven of which will be a disabled bays.

"The impact on the local highway network in terms of parking demand and traffic generation will be negligible.

"The overall height would correspond to that within the mill complex and the applicant is committed to using high-quality building materials.

"There are many benefits to be accrued through permitting the scheme: namely, a valued contribution towards the borough’s employment land supply, job creation, catering for business need and additional revenue for the council through business rates."