A LANDMARK mill in Blackburn will be demolished in the next few weeks, it has been revealed.

Albion Mill, Albion Street, Ewood, dates back to the 1850s but has fallen into disrepair in recent years.

A ‘mixed use’ development including housing and office or retail space is believed to be the most likely use for the site.

But because it is not listed or in a conservation area, no planning permission is needed for the demolition.

Residents of nearby Brackendale housing complex have been told of the plans by Manchester-based Northbank Demolition Company, which will knock down the former spinning and weaving mill this month.

Sifting through the debris and clearing the site will take a further seven to eight months.

Ewood councillor Maureen Bateson said the demolition would remove another landmark from the area after most of Blackburn Royal Infirmary made way for housing in 2008.

She added: “Obviously it’s really in disrepair now, but it’s been used for a lot of things in the past.

“Lots of people will have memories of it, some good and some bad, and it certainly stands out on the landscape.” Albion Mill operated from 1856 before closing due to a lack of orders 1975.

In recent years the site had been used by community groups. It shut to the public in 2008, leaving 200 indoor bowlers searching for a new base.

The owner, Pendleton Leisure, was unavailable for comment.

But it is understood an inquiry was made in March to the town hall about the possibility of creating a ‘mixed use’ development.

Ray Smith, chairman of Blackburn Local History Society, said the mill was ‘not of architectural merit’.