Councillors are set to approve the demolition of decaying buildings behind a historic library and theatre as a part of a town centre regeneration plan.

A report submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s planning committee recommended the work, which would see the knocking down of a former electricity substation and storage facility at the back of Darwen Library.

The plans also involve work to improve the 117-year-old Grade-II listed building’s links to the town centre, Market Hall and Town Hall, and forms a key part of the council’s planned £6.64m regeneration of the area.

The report said the building’s revamp would “bring about a multitude of public benefits”.

The local authority’s executive board last week approved the scrapping of plans for a golf academy and 50 flats.

The £2.5m Town Deal cash will instead be spent on the Darwen Market and Civic Quarter Development.

The planned improvements to the library complex, on Knott Street, are a key part of that scheme.

The demolition plans are expected to be rubber-stamped on Thursday.

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