Blackburn to take control of long-vacant factory site

Formerly used by footwear brand Kickers, the Scotland Bank Mill site is to be redeveloped into housing after the council stepped in to buy it.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has agreed to purchase the two-acre former factory site from Pentland Brands, which owns the Kickers label.

The site was cleared in 2009 and has been the subject of several housing-led proposals over the intervening years.

The most recent was Gleeson Homes, which planned to deliver 40 residences on the plot. However, the developer no longer plans to go ahead with the scheme.

Blackburn with Darwen will work with Together Housing Group to develop the site before selling the site to the housing association upon completion.

The rationale for intervening rather than leave the fate of the site to market forces is laid out in an executive report.

“Leaving the property to the private market will result in the site being stalled and continuing to cause social problems in the local neighbourhood. There is also the risk that any future purchaser could use the site in a way that does not support the Council’s local plan or strategic vision.”