THE future of a 110-year-old building in the centre of Darwen which has stood mostly empty for ten years could finally be secured.

Manchester-based Cottonloft Ltd has applied to convert the old technical college, on the corner of Union Street and Knott Street, into 34 self-contained apartments with car parking and landscaping.

The development would also involve partially demolishing the rear extension on the building and residents in nearby streets have been informed.

Previous plans for the college building fell through. It was last used as Darwen Moorland High School's lower school in 1994, has been for sale on several occasions in the past ten years and much money has been spent on refurbishing it.

Darwen councillor Derek Brindle, chairman of Darwen Against Demolition, said: "I have a good feeling about this latest application. It is excellent news for Darwen and it looks like the apartments will be quite upmarket and well designed.

"I'd rather it had been used for commercial use because it would have brought jobs into the town, but turning it into 34 apartments is also good news.

"It will put Darwen's best loved building back into use. The Darwen Against Demolition campaign team are ecstatic about the plans and it's a case of 'watch this space'.

"Ten years ago I said I would campaign until a scheme came to fruition and now finally it looks like it is."

Lancashire County Council applied to demolish the building in 1994 but a 3,200-strong petition collected by the Darwen Against Demolition committee saved the building.

In September 1996, plans to turn it into a private school collapsed and other plans which followed never came to fruition.

Now it is hoped the latest application will bring new life to the historic building and put an end to any doubt over its future.

Sally Haworth, chairman of Darwen Civic Society, said: "I taught at the technical college and I will be very glad if it is going to be used again.

"It has been empty for such a long time which is a shame and it is much better if someone's going to make use of it.

"It's a very big building inside and was always a friendly place. It was a happy school and should make happy apartments."