BXB primed for Lancashire approval

Proposals to redevelop a derelict mill site in Hoddlesden, Darwen into 79 houses have been recommended for approval by planning officers.

BXB Land Solutions has advanced plans to transform the 7.2-acre Carus Mill site in a £16m scheme now ready to go before Blackburn with Darwen Council following consultation.

The professional team includes Curtins on transport advice, architect Brock Carmichael, planner Nexus and ERAP on ecology.

“We received overwhelming support and some very helpful suggestions during a lengthy consultation period,” said BXB director Gary Goodman, who secured the site in 2020.

“The site offers a number of challenges given its poor condition and the need to culvert part of the length of a brook that runs through the middle. We’ve been able to demonstrate how we can manage these satisfactorily as well as highlight numerous opportunities for ecological improvements,” added Goodman.

The plans go before the council’s planning committee on 16 September, with full consent sought for the demolition of several derelict buildings, together with remediation works to the site to enable the completion of a development platform.

BXB is also asking for outline permission for 79 homes split between two, three and four-bed properties accessed via Johnson New Road. The site will house detached, semi-detached and townhouse-style homes.

Carus Mill was formerly a textile mill making medical fabrics such as swabs and bandages for export around the world.  It closed in 2003 and burned down in 2008. Extensive remediation is required, Goodman said.

Other projects land promoter BXB is advancing include a former brickworks site in Cottam, Preston and the 1,100-home Cowley Hill Works site, where BXB and partner Promenade Estates are looking to work with housebuilders on what is St Helens’ largest brownfield site.