A CONTROVERSIAL former care home is set to be turned into apartments despite objections from local residents.

Astley House, Whitehall Road, Darwen, previously had planning permission to be converted into apartments but only on the condition that a replacement care home was included on the site.

But owner, Manchester-based developers Madison Commercial, successfully applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council to have the condition removed to it can develop the site.

The decision, which was taken at Thursday’s council’s planning committee meeting, means Madison Commercial can carry out the conversion which includes four one- bedroomed flats and five two-bedroomed flats, with 12 parking spaces at the back of the property.

Seven letters of objection to the removal of the condition was received by the council on the grounds that there are too many empty flats and houses in the area and there would be an increase in noise and traffic.

Astley House, was run by Brightcrest Ltd which shut the home suddenly in May 2007 blaming debts of almost £300,000. The move caused contro-versy as elderly residents were given just six hours’ notice before they had to move out.

The home was put up for sale for £1.3million shortly afterwards.

Brightcrest Ltd leased the property from landlords Jason Management Ltd, which was owned by Brightcrest Ltd’s majority shareholder, Professor Mohammed Iqbal Memon.

In 2005, Jason Management Ltd successfully applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council to create nine apartments and build a new 36-bedroom nursing home.

Speaking after the meeting Coun Derek Hardman said: “With the climate as it is now they felt building a care home wasn’t viable.”