BLACKBURN’S long-awaited link road project can now get underway after controversial plans to demolish a listed building were approved.

A campaign to save the former police house at 53 King Street had been launched by conservationists, including English Heritage.

The building was in the path of the town’s orbital route and halted the construction of the section from Wainwright Bridge to Montague Street.

Talks have now started at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to decide when work can get underway.

Other buildings and land which form part of the route have already been purchased.

The new road will also passes through St Peter’s graveyard, meaning hundreds of plots will have to be dug up and relocated.

The Council said the project will create a new gateway to the town centre and open up the area for regeneration.

But opponents said the building could have been saved.

The Georgian Group even created a large advert poster next to the site in a bid to promote their campaign.

The project was granted approval by the Department for Communities and Local Government yesterday.

Coun Dave Harling said: “This is fantastic news. We are delighted that the Government has listened to local opinion.

"This what the council wanted and what local people wanted.

“The link road will be another major piece in the town centre jigsaw and will open up the whole of this side of the town for regeneration.

"This is a very exciting time for Blackburn, following on from the recent opening of the new market.”

He said the council’s vision is for the area to be transformed into a mixed quarter of homes, businesses, shops and public spaces.

It was vital for the council to get the go-ahead on the link road having already spent £3.6million buying up land and buildings, he added.

When the plans were first unveiled three years ago, it was hoped it would be completed by 2009.