Prospect Homes claims top bidder spot for South Ribble plot

Blackburn with Darwen Council is looking to sell 14 acres in the neighbouring authority’s jurisdiction, and has chosen Prospect Homes’ vision for 121 homes on the site as the plan with the most potential.

Prospect Homes, part of Riverside Group, was named the preferred bidder for the 14-acre plot on 7 December, defeating 13 other bids for the site.

While the site in question is located in South Ribble’s Mellor Brook village, it is owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council. It sits on land bounded by Myerscough Smithy Road and Branch Road and is largely fields and hedgerows. The council has been leasing the plot as agricultural land.

If Prospect Homes can bring its pitched plan to life, it will construct 121 homes on the site. Of those 121 homes, 42 would be affordable.

Blackburn will work with Prospect to further develop the scheme, with an eye towards applying for planning permission in early 2024.

Regarding the land deal, Blackburn with Darwen Council deputy leader Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: “We identified the site at Mellor Brook for potential development and worked hard with South Ribble Council to agree preferred options for its future use…

“[Prospect Homes’] bid was the best in quality and value and, importantly, it meets South Ribble’s vision for the quality, type, and tenure of homes for that site. We look forward to progressing the scheme.”

Michael Orgill, managing director of Prospect, said the company was “delighted” to secure the site. “Mellor Brook is a popular area and will follow on from the success of our nearby Mitton Grange development in Whalley,” he said, adding that Prospect is still looking for new sites in Lancashire to develop.

Elsewhere in the North West, Prospect Homes is working on constructing 99 homes in Widnes and 54 homes in Burscough.