PLANS to revamp a run-down area of Blackburn are set to be given the green light.

Blackburn with Darwen's planning committee is expected to rubber-stamp the housing development, on the site of the former Blackburn Royal Infirmary, at a meeting on Thursday Planning officers have already recommended it for approval.

The project means the former hospital, which dates back to 1865 and which formed part of the original Blackburn Royal Infirmary, will be bulldozed. But the Edwardian War Memorial building which overlooks the town will be refurbished and converted into apartments.

Barratt Homes has submitted an application to build 253 new homes on the site.

The Infirmary has been empty since the opening of the new £113million Royal Blackburn Hospital at Queen's Park last year.

Other parts of the run-down hospital will be replaced with 188 homes, while the car park off Pritchard Street will have one block of 12 two-bed apartments.

The scheme, expected to take three years to build, also includes creation of open space, highway improvements and landscaping.

As well as the Barratt Homes development, the former Warwick and Bailey Mill site is to be turned into 131 one to four bedroom houses and two bedroom bungalows, some of which will be adapted for people with disabilities, by developer Places for People.

The development will form a major part of the transformation of the Infirmary area, which has been subject to housing clearance.

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member of regeneration, said: "This is an important gateway to the town and I hope the plans will be approved so that the area could soon be developed."