A DARWEN eyesore is being transformed into 21 detached homes.

The move follows investment by the North West Development Agency of £300,000 towards a new family estate on the former site of Prospect Mill, on Hindle Street.

The site had previously attracted youths and been the target of vandals before building work started.

Coun Dave Smith, of Sunnyhurst Ward, said: "Youngsters were coming on to the old mill site. This is an an attractive and welcome development for the town."

Paul Homes Ltd is redeveloping the site and the homes are expected to be ready by June.

NWDA area manager for Lancashire Stewart Swift said: "The NWDA regional strategy identifies East Lancashire as a priority investment area and recognises the need for quality housing.

"This will be a welcome boost for the local community, both by providing housing and removing unsightly and hazardous wasteland." He added that the project tackled the agency's principle of "social inclusion and sustainable communities" and satisfied environmental objectives in reducing building on green-field sites and removing dereliction.

Planning permission for the houses was given twelve months ago with the condition that Paul Homes Ltd contributed £12,000 towards traffic-calming measures.

Just one objection had been received by planners and that had involved the new houses affecting privacy, as they would be on different levels to existing homes.

But a report to Blackburn with Darwen's Council planning and highways committee said the new development would be "broadly consistent with those of the site adjoining".