Plans to develop new affordable homes suitable for the elderly and families with disabled young people next to a controversial new housing estate have been revealed.

Blackburn with Darwen Council proposes to buy the 'dilapidated' Beehive Mill in Moor Lane, Darwen, for the specialist development.

It would be managed by a registered provider of social accommodation.

The site is next to the 45-acre housing estate being developed by Countryside Homes on the footprint of the former Darwen Moorland High School at Holden Fold.

This scheme has been deeply controversial, with local Conservative councillors complaining local roads were unfit to cope with the increase in traffic and there being insufficient school places nearby.

Now the borough's growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood is asking the authority's executive board to approve the purchase of Beehive Mill when it meets on Thursday.

He tells senior colleagues in a report: "The Beehive Mill site is adjacent to a new large housing site at Holden Fold acquired by Countryside Homes, which has secured planning approval for 477 family homes of mixed size and tenure.

"The purpose of the council acquisition is to develop much-needed specialist housing to complement the adjacent Holden Fold site and provide the council with quality affordable specialist accommodation with nomination rights managed by a registered provider.

"Whilst there are a large number of new affordable homes planned for the Holden Fold site, there are no plans to develop specialist housing such as adapted homes for older people or for disabled young people and their families.

"The council’s adult's and children's teams have advised that there is currently a need for these types of homes and this need will increase over the next few years.

"The Beehive Mill buildings are currently occupied by a small furniture business.

"The owner of the property, Oriental Developments Ltd has decided to sell the site with vacant possession.

"Following the proposed acquisition by the council, the site will be immediately leased to Countryside Homes for use as a site compound for four years with an option to extend the lease by one additional year.

"Countryside Homes will demolish the existing buildings and clear the site.

"The Beehive Mill occupies a prominent and visible location for the new housing development.

"The Beehive Mill is in a state of disrepair and dilapidation and requires significant investment and as such the owner has decided to sell the property for the purposes of redevelopment given the planned investment in the Holden Fold housing site by Countryside Homes.

"The council has agreed a purchase price.

"Leaving the mill site in situ with unknown future owners may compromise the new housing scheme."