The building previously served as an office and power supply station for the Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramways Company Ltd.

A vacant town-center building is set to become a new £3.5 million special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) centre.

According to a report that may pave the way for a formal planning application, Bridge House in Blackburn could be converted into a six-classroom centre for over 70 students aged 16 to 18.

There are also plans for a new café where students can learn culinary and hospitality skills.

Blackburn with Darwen Council could use £1.7 million in Levelling Up grants from the government to help fund the project.

‘Hands-on experience’

The local authority is already in talks about incorporating the proposed centre into Crosshill School, which is led by the Oak Learning Partnership Academy Trust.

It is possible that the number of post-16 SEND students taught by Crosshill will nearly triple, from 25 to 72, to meet expected future demand.

A new report reveals the Bridge House plans, paving the way for a planning application for the block at Railway Road and Jubilee Street.

Historically, it served as an office and power supply station for the Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramways Company Limited.

Meanwhile, the council is in talks with the nearby Blackburn Youth Zone about allowing Crosshill students to use its cutting-edge facilities if the expansion plans are approved.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the authority plans to use funds from developers to fund new building projects, in addition to government grants and council investments.

Councillor Julie Gunn, the Education Lead, stated, “We want to give all of our children the best possible start in life, and this could be a fantastic new centre for our children with special educational needs.”

“The idea of incorporating a café that would be open to the public is particularly exciting as it’ll give the pupils hands-on experience while they learn valuable skills in catering and hospitality, creating important career pathways for them.”