A FORMER residential home earmarked for demolition could be saved.

Planning officers have recommended refusal of plans to build 14 apartments on the site of the former Newhaven residential home, in Ashleigh Street, Darwen.

Blackburn with Darwen planners will make their decision on Thursday.

The plans, submitted by Westbridge Developments Ltd, Bolton, include building two blocks of apartments following demolition of the house, which has been described in the plans as 'of no architectural value'.

But some residents claim demolition would remove a piece of local history and apartment would increase traffic on an already busy road.

Nine letters of objection have been submitted to the council by residents in Ashleigh Street, Cyprus Street and Ross Street, plus local councillors David and Karimeh Foster and Ashleigh Pre-School, who believe it would increase traffic and destroy the character of the area.

David Knowles, managing director of Westbridge, described the proposed development as two blocks of apartments, each three-storeys high and of the highest quality with luxury fixtures and fittings.

Refusal has been recommended on the grounds it would lead to an over-supply of housing in that area and would not help with the regeneration of central Darwen.