SCALED back plans for flats on the site of a former health centre could be approved next week.

Last July, developers applied for permission to build 112 apartments on the site of the old Montague Health Centre in Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn.

The former 1960s health centre, which has since been knocked down, was put up for sale through property consultants Trevor Dawson in November 2017 with a guide price of £500,000.

The centre closed in 2011 and was replaced by the £21m Barbara Castle Way Health Centre.

Now a report is set to go before next week’s planning committee recommending approval for plans proposing to build 76 luxury apartments on the site.

The flats would be split into 47 one-bed and 29 two-bed apartments across five floors of the building with 56 parking spaces and a 50-space bike store.

A statement submitted as part of the application reads: “The intention of the development is to provide a luxury living environment, within the vicinity of a desirable town centre for discerning professionals who value the ability to live, work and socialise in close proximity.

John Dickinson of Accrington-based Intelligent Design Centre, speaking on behalf of applicant Mubarak Issa, said: “The developer has purchased the former health centre site outright, invested in professional services to produce the design proposals and at significant cost made a planning application.

“As with any business venture an element of risk is inevitable. This total financial investment for the project will be in the region of £8m and the emotional and personal investments equally substantial.

“It is understood that the proposal is a somewhat new concept for East Lancashire but has been proven to work well throughout many other areas of the country.”

Speaking at the time the application was lodged, borough regeneration boss, Cllr Phil Riley, said the application could be taken as further indication Blackburn is a town on the rise.

He said: “Obviously we are pleased that this is another indication of developers who have got confidence in the town centre.

“We have been quite clear that increasing the number of people who live in the vicinity of the town centre will be good for the place."