New family homes plan for Blackburn

A developer has been approved to build 30 new family homes in Feniscliffe.

Applethwaite Homes have been recommended as preferred bidder to the Council’s Executive Board, to purchase the land from the Council and build 30 new family homes in Feniscliffe, West Blackburn.

An outline planning application for up to 30 homes was granted in February 2018.

Following board approval for the sale of the site, Applethwaite Homes will submit a planning application for the homes in summer 2019. The sale is dependent on full planning approval.

Ten developers submitted bids to build on the three-acre site, which was advertised through an informal tender exercise for housing development last year.

If planning permission is granted, Applethwaite Homes will start construction of the new homes later this year, on land between Tower Road and Hillcrest Road in Blackburn, near to Witton County Park and Pleasington Playing Fields.

Part of the Council-owned land currently accommodates a decommissioned care home, formerly known as Feniscliffe Bank, which requires demolition as part of the development with an area designated as Green Infrastructure. More than 20 resident objections have been received by the Council over the loss of the green space land on the site.

Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Regeneration, said:

We had a lot of interest in this site which shows what a great development it could be.

We have had some concerns by residents in the area over the green space. We understand these concerns but we feel this is the best plan for the site and the new homes would be a great addition to the area.”

Colin Hetherington Managing Director at Applethwaite Homes, said:

Applethwaite Homes are delighted to have been selected by Blackburn with Darwen Council to prepare proposals to re-develop the derelict buildings and wider site on Tower Road. We will endeavour to engage with the community to design a high quality, family housing scheme to satisfy the requirements of the area”.