Residents support new homes on wasteland
Residents living near wasteland in Darwen have pledged their support to plans for 98 new homes to be built on the site.
Members of the Lowerwood Area Residents' Association (LARA) have campaigned for seven years to have something done at the site, where 178 houses were demolished. However, residents are hopeful that a partnership between Twin Valley Homes and Blackburn with Darwen Council marks the end of the vacant land.
The pair hope to build a number of three and four bedroom properties on the site, in addition to some two bedroom houses and bungalows. If approved, the properties will provide affordable homes for rent and shared ownership in the area with some of the houses being available to purchase outright.
Caherine Brogan lives near to the site and is part of LARA. She told The Lancashire Telegraph: "We want to see new families in the area rather than the wasteland that's there now. We need reasonably-priced houses because young people are struggling to buy places and are having to rent, which is really a waste of money."
"All of us are desperate for something to be done and for something to be done quickly. This decision has been hanging over us for seven years now," she added.
If the planning application is passed, the first stage of the development will begin. The three phases will provide a number of construction and building jobs in the area, which would start in November.
Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Smith told the Blackburn Citizen: "It's a very good thing for this area. It's going to be houses, not flats as well which is good because that's what people want."
"If people want to see what it might look like, they should have a look at the recent Twin Valley developments in Brookway and North Road, Blackburn."
Author: Hannah McLaverty-Williamson
Keywords: building jobs