A FORMER trade school could be demolished to make way for housing.

The Higher Croft Vocational Learning Centre in Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, catered for 14-19 year olds, offering practical brick-laying, painting, decorating and joinery lessons.

But it closed in December 2016 after training provider, Blackburn-based Training 2000 left the site - and the building has lain vacant since then.

Plans have now been submitted by Blackburn with Darwen council to demolish the two buildings on the site for ‘future re-development’.

The scheme has seen registered social landlord Together Housing Association (THA) join forces with the authority to explore the possibility of developing new housing in the Roman Road area after they were awarded £85,000 from the government’s estate regeneration fund.

The money will be used for a ‘feasibility study’ in the area to look at options for residential development on land owned by THA and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council at Fishmoor Drive.

The study, which will involve discussions with the community, will examine different options for the sites, site investigations and submission of a planning application.

The money is part of the £32million estate regeneration fund investment program announced by secretary of state for communities and local government, Sajid Javid, which will see 105 estates benefit nationally.

Cllr Phil Riley, Executive Member for Regeneration, at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said that the funding was ‘good news’ for Blackburn.

Cllr Riley said: “The funding will allow us, in these early stages, to work with residents and key partners such as Together to explore ways in which we can improve the area.”

Hilary Brady, Together Housing Group Head of Development, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this money so we can explore new development possibilities in Blackburn."