Countryside lodges plans for 477 Darwen houses

Formerly home to Darwen Moorland High School, the 45-acre plot at Holden Fold is set to be acquired by the housebuilder for residential development.

Woodcroft Design designed the scheme on behalf of Countryside Partnerships, now part of the Vistry Group following a £1.3bn takeover deal last year.

Proposals would see the creation of 477 houses off Moor Lane and Roman Road, featuring 101 two-, 247 three-, and 129 four-bedroom properties.

A new affordable housing statement is set to be released stating that there would be 95 affordable homes.

Residents would be provided with 1,121 car parking spaces.

There would also be 12 acres of open space.

Currently vacant, the site is made up of agricultural fields following the demolition of the former school buildings in 2016.

Countryside was chosen as the preferred bidder to acquire the land from Blackburn with Darwen Council last December and is set to compete later this year.

The project team for Holden Fold includes noise consultant Professional Consult, landscape architect Urban Green, Shape Engineering, and transport consultant SK Transport Planning.

To find out more about the plans, search for application number 10/23/0587 on Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning portal.