Vistry picked for 470-home Darwen scheme 

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive is expected to approve the disposal of 20 acres off Holden Fold next week. 

The site, once occupied by Darwen Moorland High School, is part of a wider 45-acre plot earmarked for redevelopment into around 1,000 homes in BwD’s local plan. The remaining 25 acres are held by five private landowners. 

Vistry Partnerships has been selected as the preferred bidder for the council-owned part of the site, where it plans to deliver 477 homes.   

Vistry’s scheme features 36 for affordable rent, 110 for shared ownership and 24 first homes. The developer is working alongside registered provider Together Housing Group on the project. 

“We’re very excited to be working in partnership with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for the second time, to bring forward this new development at Holden Fold,” said Ian Hilliker, managing director of Vistry Partnerships.  

“The council’s positive and ambitious approach to regeneration, development and affordable housing delivery matches our own, we’re also committed to maximising additional benefits for the local community, such as employment and training opportunities.” 

In total, the council received eight bids for the site  

A proposal to dispose of the site is set to go before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board next week for approval. 

“[Holden Fold] is a fantastic opportunity to create a new neighbourhood in Darwen,” said Simon Jones, growth programme director at Blackburn with Darwen Council. 

“Darwen is set to undergo massive regeneration over the next five years as part of the Darwen Town Deal, which has the potential to unlock £100m of investment.”  

Agents Lea Hough & Co and P Wilson & Co represented the five private landowners and developed a masterplan for the site, which was adopted in 2020. 

Earlier this year, Vistry was also selected as the council’s preferred bidder for a plot with planning permission for 165 homes south of Whalley Old Road.