WORK can now start on constructing six industrial units off a highway leading out of Blackburn town centre.

The buildings will be on ‘wasteland’ off the £7million Wainwright Way, opened in February 2016.

It linked Blackburn’s £12m Wainwright Bridge to the town centre opening up land for commercial development.

Wainwright Estates NW Limited, who bought a plot of land of the council, have now been given planning approval by Blackburn with Darwen Council for the six industrial units on 0.8 acres between the King Street Conservation Area and near Home Bargains.

The developer has already received strong interest for the ‘speculative’ units on land vacant for a decade.

The planning go-ahead has been welcomed by Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss and his Conservative group counterpart Cllr Paul Marrow.

The approval has 16 conditions attached.

Cllr Riley said: “Wainwright Way is doing exactly what it was intended to do – opening up a bit of wasteland for regeneration.”

Cllr Marrow said: “This land has been designated for industrial, commercial and business use and had been vacant for a while. The approval is to be welcomed.”

A report recommending approval by planning officer Christian Barton said: “This application involves the erection of six commercial units.

“Five units would be formed within the larger block with a single unit formed within the smaller block.

“Bricks, grey insulated cladding, and insulated panels would be used for the elevations and roof.

“The units would be fitted with grey powder-coated aluminium frontages and windows with roller shutter doors also proposed.

“A shared parking area would be provided adjacent to Wainwright Way with bin storage and service areas also provided.

“Subject to appropriate conditions, the proposal would be acceptable.

“The development therefore complies with the development plan.

“There is a positive presumption in favour of approving the development and there are no material reasons to object to the application.”