SIX objections have led to a proposal to knock down and replace an eyesore derelict town centre industrial building being debated by councillors on Thursday.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee will now consider the scheme to demolish Apex Mill on the corner of Randal Street and Bold Street in Shear Brow, Blackburn.

Greenland Properties, part of the town's Adhan Group, want to replace the building, damaged by fire in 2012, with a 610 square metre retail food store with parking for nine vehicles.

The number of objections, mainly concerned with traffic has led to officers referring the planning application to the committee.

Amjad Hussain, Sazid Patel, Idris Patel, and Atif Hussain, - all off Randal Street - have submitted identical objections warning of 'the inevitable additional vehicle traffic this will bring to the area'.

Their letters say: "My neighbours and I already suffer regular and continuous mayhem at this side of Randal Street, Bold Street and Limbrick with high volumes of people parking inconsiderately and dangerously to visit the current retails outlets."

Yusuf Patel, of Bold Street, echoed their concerns about parking in a separate objection while Usman Mangera expressed concern about the risk of rodents from the development.

A report by planning officer Nick Blackledge said: "The proposal will deliver a high quality retail development with associated off-street parking provision, which will assist in widening the retail offer in the borough.

"That the site is currently vacant and has been for approximately the past 10 years is also an important material consideration.

"The economic, social and environmental benefits of reusing a redundant and dilapidated brownfield site should be recognised in contributing towards building a strong and competitive economy; providing a safe, well-designed and accessible community facility; and making effective use of land which will alleviate long standing detriment to visual amenity on the locale, as well as removing a targeted destination for alleged instances of ant-social behaviour.

"In-curtilage car parking and servicing is proposed: nine parking bays (two disabled) are proposed. When assessed against the council’s adopted retail parking standards for a store of the size proposed, 38 bays should be provided."

Mr Blackledge recommends approval of the application with 17 conditions.new proposal is the second planning application to demolish the mill.