A PREFERRED bidder has been appointed to build 30 large family homes on the site of a former old people’s home which closed in 2014.

Blackburn with Darwen Council put the land at Tower Road, the site of the former Feniscliffe Bank home, up for sale for housing development last year.

But there were objections over the loss of green space.

When the home closed, Blackburn with Darwen Council identified the three-acre site for sheltered accommodation for 60 elderly residents.

But problems over accommodating bats living in the building delayed plans to sell the land between Tower Road and Hillcrest Road near Pleasington Playing Fields and Witton Park to a specialist developer.

Over the two-week advertising period, the council received 22 objections in relation to the appropriation by local residents.

Executive member for regeneration and growth Cllr Phil Riley said: “The main area of concern is the loss of green space for recreational activities.

“However there is adequate provision of green space in the area as Witton Park can be easily accessed and used by residents.

“The sale is subject to planning approval and the developer expects to submit a planning application summer 2019.

“The council received significant interest in the Tower Road site.

“Ten informal tenders were received by the closing date."

Six of the firms tenderering have previously never built in the borough and were attracted by the quality of the site on offer and the comprehensive data pack, he said.

As a result of deteriorating condition, vandalism and anti-social behaviour, the two-storey premises is now a significant eyesore according to council chiefs.

An outline planning application for up to 30 homes was granted in February last year to make the land easier to sell and attract a higher price.

Prior to deciding to sell the land to developers, it was also considered to do nothing or to sell the site at auction.

But leaving the site as it is would attract fly-tippers and further vandalism, while selling at auction would mean the council had less control over the type of development.

The scheme had previously come in for criticism as a way for the council to bring in cash through council tax and new homes bonuses.

But Cllr Riley said the site was no longer needed for homes for the elderly.

He added new schemes for elderly and frail residents had been developed since 2014 including the Each Step complex in Infirmary and at Albion Mill in Ewood and the Shorey Bank village in Darwen.