Blackburn poised to approve 500 homes
The council is expected to approve two residential developments this week, the latest phase of Kingswood Homes’ Green Hills neighbourhood south-west of Blackburn, and Landway Properties’ scheme off Ramsgreave Drive, north of the town centre.
Preston-based Kingswood, with land promotion firm Rule Five Land, is seeking full permission for 155 homes and outline consent for a further 280 homes, on 70 acres off Moorland Drive in Livesey.
The project would be the fourth phase of Kingswood’s Green Hills neighbourhood, approved in 2017, which forms part of Blackburn’s Gib Lane masterplan.
Commenced in 2015, the masterplan covers a 136-acre plot south of the town centre, between junctions three and four of the M65.
The masterplan is expected to deliver 440 homes by 2026.
The project team for Green Hills includes Hemingway Design – the business started by renowned fashion designers Wayne and Gerardine Hemingway, and ID Partnership.
Paul Jones, managing director at Kingswood Homes, said: “Green Hills is extremely popular with buyers who appreciate the open space of the village greens and informality of the layout. With phase two almost 75% complete it is important that we get permission for further phases to meet the demand for high quality, design-led housing in Blackburn.
“We have taken four reservations this month already and we are expecting demand to continue to outstrip supply until construction gets back to pre-lock down levels.”
Residents have raised concerns over the site’s propensity to flood-risk, and submitted a petition calling on the council to refuse the plans.
Landway’s development site, north of Ramsgreave Drive, would benefit from an a new access point
Meanwhile, in the Pleckgate area of Blackburn, Nelson-based developer Landway Properties wants to build 63 homes on nine acres off Ramsgreave Drive.
Part of the North Blackburn masterplan, the project comprises 62 four-bedroom homes and a single three-bedroom property. The houses would be delivered by McDermott Homes, part of Landway Properties.
An additional access point to Ramsgreave Drive would be created under the plans.
Smith & Love is the planning consultant for the scheme.
