Council unveils preferred bidder for controversial fields development

COUNCIL chiefs have announced the appointment of a partner for a 216-home playing fields development.

Keepmoat Homes Limited has been unveiled by Hyndburn council and its partner Reilly Developments Limited as its preferred bidder for the development of Lyndon Playing Fields and adjacent land off Wood Street, in Great Harwood.

Keepmoat’s appointment is subject to finalising terms for the disposal of the fields and Keepmoat obtaining reserved matters planning consent.

In October 2015 the council’s planning committee approved plans for up to 250 homes as well as four football pitches and changing facilities at the site.

In a statement, Hyndburn council said: “Twenty national and regional house builders expressed an interest in the development opportunity and a shortlist of four bidders was drawn up. Following a rigorous three-stage tender process Keepmoat was selected as the preferred bidder.”

Council leader Miles Parkinson said: “I appreciate some local residents expressed concerns, but I believe we listened and responded where possible to those concerns. I am confident Great Harwood will get a high quality residential development that will provide much needed new housing for Great Harwood with added benefits for the local economy. I am also delighted that the site will include an improved and enhanced play area and will incorporate a 50m landscaped buffer between the development and the adjacent abattoir site on Wood Street.”

Subject to planning consent and agreement of terms, Keepmoat should begin construction next spring or early summer.