Derelict land to be sold off to mystery builder
JON MACPHERSON
ADERELICT area of land which has been a magnet for anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping will be sold off to a mystery developer for ‘commercial use’.
Hyndburn council has marketed the 1.5 acre site off Steiner Street in Accrington for the last 12 months, with four bids now being received.
They include plans for 32 homes, commercial trade and employment use, a textile industry training facility and a mix of market and rented accommodation.
Council bosses have now chosen the commercial use option because it is the ‘highest bid for the site with finance in place’ and also the ‘most realistic opportunity for redevelopment in the quickest timescale’.
The name of the bidder has not been released but is described in a council document as a ‘developer/constructor’ with a ‘very good track record of developing locally and regionally’.
The deal will generate £205,000 for the council and under the agreement planning consent must be approved within the next eight months.
The land sale is £100,000 less than the current market value which has been blamed on a lack of access from Hyndburn Road and remediation costs.
The site has been der- elict since January 2013 when the last properties were demolished using Housing Market Renewal funding to reduce oversupply of two-bed terraced homes in the area.
Coun Clare Cleary, portfolio holder for housing, said the other three bids could be accommodated on other council-owned sites.
Speaking at a recent cabinet meeting, she said: “I know cabinet and ward members are really keen to see the Steiner Street site redeveloped, particularly because of its prominent location and also regular problems associated with fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.
“We have been advertising this site for about 12 months and there are four separate bids that have come in to the council.
“All the proposals have merit but the report recommends Bid A [commercial use]. I’m also confident that subject to further discussions the other bids and proposals can be accommodated on council-owned sites.”
Council leader Miles Parkinson said: “It’s very good that we are getting people coming forward. It’s good news for the council and for residents because jobs are going to be created.”
PRIEST RETIRES
A VETERAN priest is bidding a joyful farewell to his parish after more than 50 years in the clergy.
Canon David Lupton, 75, served as parish priest at St Joseph’s church in Accrington for eight years between 1985 and 1993 before moving to St James the Less church in Rawtenstall. A farewell dinner was recently held at Burnley FC. Father David said: “It’s been a long time as parish priest and this is a big moment in my life. I feel I’m ready to retire.”
PROPERTY FIRE
TWO people were treated for smoke inhalation after a living room fire.
Firefighters were called to a property on Plantation Street in Accrington at around 9.45am on Thursday, February 15. A Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Four firefighters wore breathing apparatus, isolated the utilities to the property and used a hose reel and ventilation unit to extinguish the fire. There were two casualties at the incident who were given precautionary checks.”