COUNCIL bosses could have to fork out an extra £32,000 to remove asbestos from a former care home.

Blackburn with Darwen Council officials gave consent for the demolition of Blakewater Lodge in Swallow Drive, Blackburn, last year.

The future use is currently unknown with the site in the process of being sold off for development.

Cllr Andy Kay said: “Due to higher-than-expected levels of asbestos on site, costs have increased on the scheme in respect of its removal.

“A request is made to transfer funding of £32,000 from the earmarked scheme for Corporate Property Investment to cover the additional costs.”

Under a 2017 bid, the vacant Swallow Drive site would have been renamed Blackburn Plaza and housed 35 retail units.

The units, which would range in size, would have comprised a bazaar of Asian-based shops in a covered market.

But the application was turned down in January 2018 after it was decided the applicant failed to establish whether there was a need for the facility and whether there would be no unacceptable impact on the vitality and viability of existing markets

It was also found the proposal put road users and pedestrians at risk because of inadequate parking and servicing arrangements.

Rubbish collection facilities were deemed to be inadequate and it was also decided the proposal was stark and unsympathetic to the character of the area.