The site of the derelict shell of a fire-wrecked pub is to be turned into a new job-creating industrial estate.

Planners have approved the scheme to demolish The Farthings in Rosewood Avenue, Blackburn, which was ravaged by a blaze in September last year.

Jangeer Yasan can now knock down the ruins and replace them with 12 new single-storey industrial units.

The Roe Lee pub was empty at the time of the fire as it was closed while a new tenant was sought.

Mr Yasan has been granted planning permission from Blackburn with Darwen Council for 'the demolition of the Farthings Public House and erection of 10 new industrial units with new bin store areas, secure cycle and motorcycle areas, landscaping and new vehicular and pedestrian access'.

The scheme is aimed at new and expanding businesses.

The approval has 21 conditions including a prohibition on articulated heavy goods vehicles entering the site and operating hours of 07:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday, and 09:00 to 21:00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Mr Yasan has agreed to pay £20,000 towards highway improvements on the nearby A666 Whalley New Road.

A report recommending approval by planner Christian Barton says: "The application site is a plot of commercial land located within Blackburn.

"A fire-damaged public house building with associated car parking and garden areas are currently positioned within.

"This application seeks full planning permission for the erection of 10 commercial units following demolition of the fire-damaged public house building and associated structures. The proposed units would be arranged in two blocks.

"Off-street parking spaces would be provided for 16 vehicles alongside three mobility-impaired spaces, three motorcycle spaces and six covered cycle racks.

"Supplementary landscaping would also be provided along the boundaries in the form of trees and low lying shrubs together with grassed areas.

"The proposed units would have a combined footprint of circa 969 square metres and dual-pitched roofs.

"Bricks and goosewing grey composite cladding would be used. Each unit would have an electrically operated roller shutter door with a steel security door proposed to the front and rear."

Mr Barton's report says one neighbour objection was received on grounds including potential detrimental impacts on the area, adverse impacts on neighbours and extra traffic.

It also revealed that a 22-signature petition supporting the application had been received.

His report says: "The proposed units would have a relatively conventional construction and appearance.

"The style would be consistent with a number of similar previous developments in the borough and would not seem out of place within this contained site."