Councillors have confirmed prior approval for the demolition of a redundant nursery school building in Blackburn.

The footprint of the single-storey structure, which housed Longshaw Nursery in Crosby Road, and the adjoining site of the former Longshaw Home for Older Persons are earmarked for redevelopment by a social housing provider.

The nursery closed last year, and its operations were transferred to a £1.2 million new building adjacent to the nearby Longshaw Infant School.

On Thursday, January 18, Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee recommended to approve the nursery's demolition.

A report to the planning committee read: “The proposed works involve the entire demolition of the building and subsequent land restoration of the site.

“The reasons for demolition are due to the dilapidated state of the building and given the re-location of the nursery within the Longshaw Community Infant School grounds it is no longer required for active use.

“The only planning matters that the authority is to consider in the determination as to whether prior approval is required is to the method of demolition and any proposed restoration of the site.

“Ecological and tree considerations have also been taken into account as part of this application for prior approval.

“The assessment of this application within this report concludes the proposal is permitted development, and the accompanying information is sufficient to ensure no further information was required under the prior approval procedure and the proposal is therefore deemed to be satisfactory from a technical point of view.”

The application site relates to a single-storey building formerly used as Longshaw Nursery accessed from Crosby Road with the southern boundary fronting onto Peel Close.

Permission was approved last week for the demolition of the nursery building alongside the implementation of various site restoration works.

An accompanying design and access statement outlined the proposed works, which involves pulling down the main building using hand stripping techniques, as well as machinery methods.

The existing green mesh fencing and access gates around the perimeter of the site are to remain in-situ as a means of security post demolition.

The timescale for the works to be completed is expected to be around four to five weeks.

The report went on: “Whilst accepted, surrounding residential properties are likely to be susceptible to levels of noise throughout the day from the demolition works, nevertheless reasonable steps are to be taken to reduce any adverse effects to minimise associated noise.

“In addition, the main noise intensive periods are not expected to last the full four weeks and given the working hours are to be restricted to daytime only this will avoid unnecessary nuisance at early morning, evening and night times.

“Therefore, the proposal will not result in unacceptable harm to residential amenity in relation to noise.

“Dust suppression mechanisms such as using water jet spray will be utilised to minimise disruption in this regard.

“Minor amounts of asbestos have been detected throughout the building, the appointed contractor will provide a detailed method statement which will include its safe removal by a licensed asbestos removal professional, and thus deemed to be acceptable.

“The site will be restored and maintained in a safe and secure condition until such time that it may be redeveloped.

“A condition to protect the trees on site, with any approval of the application would be appropriate.”