A COUNCIL’S hopes of demolishing a listed building to make way for a new road have moved a step closer.

English Heritage has confirmed it will not ask for a public inquiry into the demolition of the former police building in King Street, Blackburn, which is in the path of the town’s “orbital route” plans.

With yet another planning application for the road expected soon, the council leader yesterday branded the building an “eyesore” and said it should be knocked down as soon as possible.

But an energetic conservation campaign is also under way.

Opponents, including the Georgian Society and Blackburn Civic Voice, believe the building is “of national importance”, say it is older than the council is claiming and have proposed an alternative route that they say is being ignored by town hall planners.

And English Heritage said it still objects to the demolition and called for a “slightly altered route”.

However, the group said it would not ask for a public inquiry because the council was best placed to decide.

Simon Huggill, the Darwen Liberal Democrat councillor who is heavily involved in the campaign to preserve the building, said it was nationally important because it had once been home to pioneers of the region’s weaving industry.

He added: “We have a route that is just as clear, and just as direct.”

The council urgently wants to build the missing link of the orbital route, connecting the Wainwright Bridge with Montague Street.