A ONCE-bustling working men’s club which has deteriorated into a derelict eyesore is being bought up by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The local authority has begun the process of buying up the old Queen’s Park Working Men’s Club on Audley Range, Blackburn, after years of anti-social behaviour including arson, vandalism and fly-tipping.

The double fronted 2-storey abandoned club has been disused since 1996 and is now in a state of serious disrepair.

Temporary fencing panels surround the building as it is has been deemed unsafe to enter by the council’s building control team.

Part of the roof is missing exposing the roof beams and there are multiple broken windows on all elevations, with roof tiles evident on the pavement.

There is very little yard space at the rear but it continues to be used for fly tipping.

The building has been plagued by vandalism, fly tipping, squatters, substance misuse and drug dealing and in 2014, arson, causing a severe nuisance to the local neighbourhood.

The building is therefore the subject of frequent complaints regarding its condition and the related anti-social behaviour issues, which are having a negative impact on the local surrounding area.

These issues have also been raised regularly by the local MP Kate Hollern and ward councillors on behalf of their constituents.

Ward councillors have also expressed the view that the proposed CPO action by the Council would have the support of the local community.

Executive member for growth and development, Cllr Phil Riley, has approved proposals to begin the compulsory purchase order process with a view to selling the building on to be converted into housing.

Cllr Riley said: "The club and land, despite intensive intervention as part of the council’s empty property strategy, remains a derelict eyesore that is subject to regular anti-social behaviour including arson, vandalism and fly-tipping.

"The building is a continual source of complaints due to its negative impact on the surrounding neighbourhood, resulting in the council carrying out works in default as the owner neglects to maintain the security of the building.

"Although it will be costly for the buyer to refurbish the property at their own expense to the council’s requirements due to the extensive works required to bring it back into use, this action is deemed to be the most appropriate course of action.

"This outcome will further contribute to the council’s corporate objectives for the provision of much needed family housing across the borough."

"Extensive investigations to identify and locate the owners of the building and land have been carried out including the gathering of local intelligence from business owners and residents in the area and examining historical information in relation to the address.

"A land registry search has revealed the owner of the freehold interest in the land in the title but his whereabouts are unknown and the name and whereabouts of the leasehold owner remains unknown.

"Extensive attempts have been made to locate the owner of the freehold interest in the land including writing to all people with the same name within the Greater London area but these attempts have proved unsuccessful.