EIGHTEEN new apartments will be created bringing a dilapidated building in Blackburn back to life.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning chiefs gave the green light to an application by Elliot Investments Limited to convert the former Time House building into apartments on Devonport Road.

It was approved despite a petition and three letters of objection on the grounds of parking concerns and on street parking affecting children safety and community cohesion.

Cllr Mohammed Khan wrote a letter concerned over the parking and neighbourhood amenity while Cllr Quesir Mahmood said he would not support this development as there were already significant parking issues.

However, Cllr Mahmood, who represents the Wensley Fold ward, said: “It is a building that has been in a bad way for year.

“But it is an eyesore and it would be better to see a building being in use.

“I am a bit sceptical if it will happen but I think it will be a lot better.

“The concerns with parking which we took on as local councillors but the planning officers told us that there was going to be a number of parking spaces in the basement as part of the plans.

“But there will be sufficient parking in the area too.”

The plan was for 10 two-bedroom units and also eight one-bedroom units.

The property was last occupied by Time Computers, though has been vacant for approximately 15 years.

The building is in an advanced state of disrepair with missing roofing, broken windows, unsafe internal floors and patched repairs to the walling.

Cllr Mahmood added: “The building is so close to the town centre and near a main road.

“So it is surprising that it has been left to go like it is with danger signs warning about slates coming off the roof.

“It has been in a sad state of repair and the scheme will hopefully bring back a building into use.”

The scheme has been agreed on the condition that work starts in the next three years.

In the report to planners it is claimed: “The proposed changes to the facades are considered to be sympathetic, retaining where practical the existing window openings and walling materials.

“The existing building is in an advances state of disrepair and generally providing a negative impact on the overall appearance and character of the locality.”