IN 1966 when a model was revealed of how a proposed new housing development at Mill Hill would look, it was heralded as being the perfect solution to transform waste ground into a well-planned estate providing attractive, modern homes for 1,148 people.

Three years and just over £1.2 million later Ewood Court, the third of the tower blocks and final phase in the development was handed over to Blackburn Council.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The project had not been without its challenges - existing properties in the middle of the site could not be demolished and had to be incorporated into the design and tests revealed that the ground was of poor load-bearing nature and there was even a pond to be dealt with.

For the three tower blocks, 186 reinforced concrete piles were driven between 70 and 100 feet into the ground to support the buildings.

Each flat was served by warm air gas heating and a laundrette was built on the ground floor of the second block.

There were three four-bedroomed homes on the development and also 46 three-bedroomed properties with 90 flats in each of the three tower blocks.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Two children’s play areas were also incorporated into the scheme with a series of mounds linked by ladder bridges in the larger of the two and the trees were planted in areas around the development to add a little ‘greenery’.

The first tenants moved in in 1969-70 but just over 30 years later, in 2001, the flats were demolished.