MEMBERS of Blackburn with Darwen's highways committee overturned an officers' recommendation to stop developers turning a former nursing home into private housing.

Dalkey Investments Ltd applied to transform the Paragon Nursing Home on School Lane in Edgworth into 10 new homes.

But officers at Blackburn with Darwen Council recommended refusal of the scheme because they said not enough effort had been made by the owner to put the building to commercial use.

The argument centred on whether the building, which is allowed to be used as a commercial site, should be returned to housing use.

Councillor Colin Rigby opposed the motion to block the scheme. He told the meeting: "The extensions are minor and the building will substantially remain the same."

"Most of the objections are fairly minor and are not related to the building but to the road adjoining it and the surfacing.

"The main objection is this should have been advertised for commercial use over a 12 month period."

Coun Rigby said Edgworth is a dormer village and was not attractive to industry.

Coun Rigby also pointed out that the former nursing home had struggled and eventually gone bankrupt.

Coun Paul Browne added: "I don't think anyone would want a commercial development in that area, even the Civic Trust support this application.

"I think we should listen to the people of the area. I will support Councillor Rigby on this."

But Coun Peter Greenwood backed the planning officers. He said: "The owner chose to move into a green belt area and he has a certain responsibility."

The recommendation to refuse the application was defeated by seven votes to six, with one abstention.

The plans will be brought before the next planning and highways committee for conditions to be put on the conversion.