A DISUSED Darwen mill is set to be converted into apartments, sheltered housing and offices - fulfilling a late councillor's dream.

And developers McInerney Homes have proposed to name the sheltered accommodation part of the Vernon Carus development after popular councillor Fred Slater, who died 18-months ago aged 63.

Coun Slater, who represented East Rural ward, worked hard to ehlp the elderly and sheltered housing in the area would a dream come true' for him, according to his daughter,Julie.

Residents from Hoddlesden and neighbouring wards are being urged to attend Hoddlesden Community Centre on January 22 at 6.30pm to view images of the plans for the mill, in New Johnson Road.

Outline planning permission was granted by Blackburn with Darwen Council last autumn to rejuvenate the 5.86 acre, three-storey site.

Plans were approved for 18 apartments, 15 sheltered accommodation bungalows, 63 properties, including detached and semi-detached houses, office units and a playground but these are subject to the consultation.

The derelict mill was formed in 1971 by the merger of Hoddlesden-based Alexander Carus & Sons and Vernon & Co.

In 1993, the firm closed its Hampden Mill site, Darwen, and 10 years later revealed it was also to close its Hoddlesden site.

Since its closure, police have been called to the site a number of times following reports of tresspassing and last June four young intruders were hauled out of the mill and warned about their conduct.

A video of youngsters tresspassing on the site was also uploaded onto the video sharing website YouTube Julie Slater, Conservative councillor for the East Rural ward, said: "The development is a big achievement really, "The mill is derelict and there have been problems with vandals and tresspassing.

"We are looking forward to families moving and older people being able to stay in the village.

"It is a dream come true, my father had worked to try to get sheltered housing in the ward.

"It is quite moving really that the sheltered accommodation is going to be named after my father, it means a lot to our family. "sheltered accommodation for the area was his vision."

Gerry Sweeney, managing director of Wigan-based McInerney Homes North, said: "We acquired the site in autumn 2007 and have since been busy formulating plans for the regeneration of the site.

"We now have a draft scheme which has been carefully and sensitively designed to provide a new mixed-use development incorporating a proportion of affordable homes, and accommodation specifically for persons over 55 years of age, offices, open space and play facilities."