Trio of land sales could trigger 400 homes in Blackburn
The council is expected to dispose of three plots totalling 35 acres to a joint venture between social housing provider Together Housing and housebuilder Countryside Homes if approved by executive committee on Thursday.
Two of the sites are located of Fishmoor Drive, one to the east and one to the south, while the third is between Roman Road and Fishmoor reservoir.
A fourth, 13-acre site, off Fishmoor Drive is already owned by Together Housing, bringing the total development area to 48 acres.
Some 600 homes are mooted for the sites, with a planning application for the first 400 anticipated in the coming weeks.
Plans are being readied for the Together Housing-owned plot and two of the council-owned sites.
These plans include 392 homes, of which 69 would be available for private rental, the majority are available for open market sale with some set aside for affordable ownership.
Plans for a further 200 homes on the fourth plot, the largest at 21 acres, will be brought forward at a later stage and the joint venture will be granted exclusivity for this site for an agreed period while development is progressed on the first three sites.
The private rented properties would be owned and managed by Sigma Group and Together Housing will own and manage the affordable homes. Countryside homes will market all homes for sale.
Cllr Phil Riley, member for regeneration, said: “Together these sites will be the biggest planning application in the history of Blackburn with Darwen Council as a unitary authority since its creation in 1998.”
The local infrastructure, public open space and pedestrian walkways would be enhanced as part of the scheme.