A ROW over a former Blackburn nursing home has erupted again after the council leader admitted it could be turned into a home for asylum seekers.

Despite concerns from residents that Witton Bank in Spring Road, Blackburn, was to house asylum seekers, Blackburn with Darwen Council denied knowing what the applicant's full intentions were.

Council officers revealed they received an application to "house multiple occupants" at the former nursing home with 30 beds, but denied knowing it could be used as a home for asylum seekers. But a newsletter distributed by council leader Malcolm Doherty says: "Initially it was not clear what purpose the builder had in mind, but recently he has explained that he intends to house asylum seekers."

That claim had been denied by Blackburn with Darwen Council which said the town has already reached its Home Office quota -- 700.

After being told of Coun Doherty's newsletter a council spokesman said: "The council has no control over where private sector providers, contracted to the Home Office, choose to house asylum-seekers within the borough as long as planning regulations are met.

"The council has received a planning application from a private company for change of use of Witton Bank into a building for multiple occupancy.

"This would house asylum seekers. We have also received two petitions from local residents objecting to this planning application.

"The council can only legally consider this application on sound planning grounds like car parking facilities, significant additional traffic on approach roads to a building, or noise which could disturb a residential area."

One of the residents concerned about the home, which has been empty for 12 months, is Frank Barratt, of nearby Cavendish Place.

He said: "All we wanted was for the council to clarify the situation. We heard that it was going to house asylum seekers, but the council denied it, then this newsletter tells us it might be. It all seems a bit fishy to us."

The application will be decided by the planning committee.