A semi-derelict former town centre nightclub with a chequered history has now been cleared for conversion into four flats and a ground floor office with new shop front.

Karl Baxter's planning application to renovate the premises of Darwen's Bar Java, which had a 6am licence, has been approved.

The Wellington Fold building had previously been known as the National United Service Club, Kazy’s Club, Sky Bar and the Funhouse.

The large two-storey stone property had a ground floor consisting of an open plan room with bar area, dance floor and seating areas with toilets to the rear.

The first floor comprised a function area with a bar.

At one point it was earmarked to reopen as a night club called Project Darwen.

However, it never took over and the site was put up for sale.

In June 2022 approval was given to Barry Bentley to convert the building into seven affordable apartments aimed at young professionals but work was never started.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted planning permission for a Mr Baxter's scheme with 14 conditions despite concerns over the style of new windows and solar panels on the roof.

This latest proposal was backed by Darwen West ward's Cllr Brian Taylor who told planners: "I think that this application is better than the previous one.

"It will be an improvement on what is becoming a semi-derelict building."

A report recommending approval by planning officer Tom Wiggans said: "Planning permission has previously been granted in 2022 for seven apartments, but the property remains vacant as the previously approved scheme is unviable.

"This new application seeks an amendment to reduce the number of residential apartments from seven down to four with a professional services office on the ground floor and the insertion of a new shop front/window.

"Each of the four apartments would have two bedrooms and would be available on the open market.

"Whilst it is accepted there may be a low level of harm to the character and appearance of the Darwen town centre as a result of the proposed windows and solar panels, this is considered to be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme.

"They include social, environmental and economic benefits of bringing the existing building in a prominent town centre location back into active, viable use; introducing a new town centre office; providing town centre living accommodation; providing cycle storage; use of solar panels, promoting the use of green energy and helping to combat climate change; and introduction of new timber hardwood doors."