More roof repairs are required at Blackburn's historic Imperial Mill.

Earlier this month it emerged emergency works were required to stop the 'inevitable' collapse of the main roof of the landmark council-owned building,

Its decaying windows also pose a 'major health and safety risk' to passers-by, documents showed.

The dangerous state of the heritage-listed 1901 building in Gorse Street was revealed in reports submitted with a planning application for urgent repairs to its roof and windows.

Blackburn with Darwen Council bought the imposing and historic mill in February 2023 with the aim of restoring it to its former glory as a a job-creating hub for creative industries and cultural activities.

Now the borough's planning committee has been asked to give backdated approval for work to repair the roof of the giant mill's loading bay and the removal of nine windows and temporary boarding up of 27 more.

When the problems with the main roof were revealed Conservative regeneration spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow said: "This is extremely alarming.

"Imperial Mill is at risk of becoming a 'white elephant' with a spiralling cost to the authority and its council taxpayers."

A report to Thursday's committee meeting by Gavin Prescott, the borough's planning manager, says: "The proposed developments are in relation to a programme of works regarding the structurally unsafe elements of Imperial Mill, in this particular case, the loading bays of the mill building.

"Members will recall that applications were presented to the April meeting for the proposed demolition of those elements to the mill building, which pose a serious risk to health and safety, in particular, the Boiler House, Engine Room Extension, Masonry Annex and Steel Structure.

"Members are advised that the works the subject of the applications presented to the meeting are the second element of a programme of regeneration which will restore the important listed Imperial Mill building.

"The application site is a Grade II listed building (designated in 1974) four storeys in height that is currently in a state of disrepair.

"A single-storey loading bay was constructed as an extension to the original loading bay, believed to have been within ten years of the mill’s opening.

"The proposal solely consists of re-roofing the loading bay, which is currently leaking and in a fragile state.

"Urgent repairs are needed to prevent further structural issues, which will include renovation of the parapets, a relatively ornate and original feature, with lead wall flashing being installed to shore up the roof and ensure it does not leak.

"In addition, 18 windows on the northwest elevation of the mill be boarded up, as they are positioned above the roof area, together with nine windows to the first floor northwest elevation of the loading bay being removed and boarded up.

"The windows are considered to be beyond economic repair, together with also forming a health and safety hazard. The intention is the windows will be replaced as part of the wider refurbishment of the mill building.

"The proposed works are required due to the buildings very poor and dangerous condition, together with the presence of asbestos."