PLANS to develop a new business centre in Blackburn have received a boost after council bosses agreed to sell land to property developers.

Atlantic Property Services, in partnership with the Capita Group, plans to create a new office development on land close to Barbara Castle Way, creating hundreds of new white-collar jobs. The land, sold for an undisclosed amount, is currently occupied by empty homes and will be alongside the new extension to Barbara Castle Way.

The new development will be the base for around 500 office staff employed by Capita, the firm which took on many of the council's administrative services last summer as part of a £205million, 15-year deal.

At the time, the firm committed to bring 500 jobs to the area within five years. It reckons it has already brought in 400 -- some of which are part of a BBC TV Licensing contract which will be based at India Mill in Darwen.

Many of the ex-council staff will transfer to the building, with space being created for new contracts as and when they are secured.

Planning permission is expected to be given at a meeting of the development services committee tonight .

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board agreed to sell the council's interest in the land at a meeting last week. The fee has not been disclosed and the issue was discussed behind closed doors.

Coun Gail Barton, executive member for resources, said: "This is another example of the council working in partnership with the private sector to help regenerate the town centre.

"The land was valued to ensure we received the best price.

"I am looking forward to the project progressing into the next phase with the development of the business centre and the creation of extra jobs.

"Yet again the council's partnership with Capita is proving to be a major boost to the local economy and the new job opportunities and spending power in the town centre."

Capita Business Centre Director Terry Boynes said: "We are very pleased to have been able to make such swift progress.

"Our developers Atlantic Property Services are in negotiations with the police to buy the police garage.

"Designs are under way and the construction is expected to begin, subject to planning permission, this summer and will be due for completion in Autumn, 2003."

The council's drive to bring in more white-collar jobs is an attempt to push up wages in the area. They hope that a larger number of high-quality jobs will lead to more money being spent in the town, pushing up home prices and attracting better shops into the town centre.