THE site of a demolished former gasworks on the edge of a town centre is set to be cleaned up for redevelopment.

The 3.5 acres of land at the end of Wensley Road, Blackburn, was once home to four gasholders, the last of which was knocked down in 2017.

VHE Construction has now applied for planning permission to 'remediate' the land owned by the National Grid and used as a vehicle salvage yard.

The news has been welcomed by Wensley Fold ward's Cllr Dave Harling and borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley who said the site could be ideal for affordable housing.

A statement by agents WSP Inidigo in support of the application to Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "The site was developed as part of a gasworks in the late 1800s when it was used predominantly for gas storage.

"Gasholders one and two and a relief holder were demolished and infilled sometime between 1930 and 1980. Gasholder 3 was demolished in 2017.

"The proposal is for the voluntary remediation of the site.

"The works will infill the former gasholder and level the site to create a larger development platform for future use.

"The remediation works will take approximately 16 weeks.

"The primary aim of the proposed works is to improve the site and and interrupt any potentially substantial contamination linkages to ensure it is suitable for future use as open storage and improve marketability for future development.

"More sensitive end uses would require further remediation but the proposed works will reduce the cost and time burden associated with any future development.

"The remediation works are seeking to mitigate any harm to human or environmental health and propose the removal of contaminated soil and importation of clean materials to level the site."

Cllr Riley said: "I absolutely welcome this clean up.

"It is a large piece of land and looks like it could be a prime site for some affordable housing."

Cllr Harling said: "This is excellent new.

"It has been an industrial site for a very, very long time.

"One of the first things that needs doing before any development is cleaning it up, remediation. It is great that that is happening.

"As councillors we would need to look very carefully at any future proposals for the site."

The disused 44-metre high gasholder three off Wensley Road had loomed large over Blackburn from1892 until its demolition in 2017.

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