A former social services resource centre set to become a four-bedroomed family home has netted a council £300,000.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has now sold the property in Darwen which it owned.

The Limes, in Blackburn Road, will now revert to its original residential use.

In 2019 the then-vacant former family support venue for children, young people and their families was earmarked to become supported accommodation for care leavers.

But in October the borough planning committee approved its conversion into a family house.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood has now rubber-stamped the sale.

In a report to colleagues, he said: "The Limes is a two-storey property located in Darwen and was used by children’s services before being confirmed surplus following a review of council assets in 2023/24.

"This report now seeks approval to proceed with a disposal by way of 250-year leasehold interest for residential use.

"The disposal is to a private individual (and his family) for residential use following the marketing of the property by an agent on behalf of the council.

"The growth and development department, in conjunction with all other council departments, completed an asset review in 2023/24 to identify opportunities for service improvement and revenue savings to help support the council’s medium-term financial plan.

"This review initially considered 65 of the council’s key buildings from the operational estate and assessed the assets against service needs to identify opportunities for co-location, service relocation or intensification of existing assets.

"The Limes was identified in the review which concluded the asset was significantly underutilised and therefore opportunities to relocate the service to other council assets should be investigated.

"Officers quickly identified and relocated the services to community centres, and subsequently The Limes was confirmed as surplus in June 2024.

"The property team applied for a change of use to residential use, which was granted following a planning committee hearing on October 17, 2024.

"The property was put on the market with local residential agents Mortimers for offers in the region of £325,000.

"A private individual and the council have agreed on a sale and purchase subject to contract.

"The property will be used as a family home and is understood the property will be acquired with a mortgage.

"The council estimated the value of the property in its current condition to be in the region of £300,000 which is consistent with the final agreed offer.

"Disposal of 250-year interest will generate a capital receipt for the council."