A CAMPAIGNING councillor has welcomed a new blueprint to turn an ‘eyesore’ site into 79 homes as 'a dream come true'.

BXB Land Solutions Ltd has submitted a planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council to redevelop the derelict Vernon Carus Mill near Hoddlesden village.

The scheme will see the derelict building remains turned into one, two, and three-bedroomed houses and one and two-bedroomed flats.

West Pennine ward's Cllr Julie Slater said: "The application to redevelop the Carus Mill site, which has become an ‘eyesore’, is so welcomed

"Different planning applications have been on-going for at least 15 years.

"My father-in-law Cllr Fred Slater was working towards getting this site developed, before he died suddenly in 2006. It was his dream to see this area fit for purpose for the residents of Hoddlesden, Waterside, Pickup Bank and Eccleshill. I promised I would continue to work to get this site developed

"It’s been a long hard battle as it passed through so many developers and with all the fly-tipping over the years has been hazardous and horrendous for residents.

" So it’s a big relief that a company has the specialist skills to clear this difficult site ready for a developer to come in and build new homes.

"This will enable some of our older residents to downsize and leave the bigger homes for larger families and for first time buyers who want to move into their first home

"Then I will know I have kept my promise to the residents and helped make dad's dream come true, to make an eyesore into a beautiful place to live."