Green light for homes on former landfill site
JONATHAN GRIEVE
DOZENS of new homes will be built in Accrington as part of a £3.9m investment after planning permission was granted.
Hyndburn council planning committee members gave the green light to proposals by Gleeson Homes to build 46 new homes on land off Miller Fold Avenue in the town.
The land was previously a landfill site but has not been used for many years.
Gleeson focuses solely in building low cost homes for people on low incomes in areas of industrial decline and social and economic deprivation.
As part of the planning permission, Gleeson will be required to stump up £30,000 for ecology, £15,000 towards public open space and a further £5,750 for bin provision.
The new estate will consist of 17 two-bedroom homes and a further 29 three-bedroom properties.
Gleeson’s senior land manager, John Neary, told members the development amounted to a £3.9m investment in Hyndburn.
He added house prices would start at £102,000 and that the firm aimed to make houses affordable for 90 per cent of working couples.
Ward councillor Munsif Dad, who also represents the area on Lancashire County Council, said he was supportive of the plan.
He said: “I think this is a fitting proposal for the area. I have consulted with residents and most of them are in support.”
Council leader Miles Parkinson said: “We have to go back some years to when Gleeson Homes first came to the borough and Hyndburn does have a lot of brownfield sites which were neglected or needed regeneration.
“I am very pleased with this. We need the investment because it brings an affordable product for the working people in the area where they can buy a home and bring a community feel which you don’t get with rentals.”
Officers had recommended committee members grant permission for the development to go ahead.
Just five letters of objection were sent to the council citing fears over increased traffic, loss of a public right of way, loss of open views and damage to the environment.
The site put forward for redevelopment is currently vacant, consisting of rough grassland with border hedging and trees.
Steve Gamble, group land and planning director at Gleeson, said: “We are delighted that we have been given the go ahead to develop the site.
“Local people will be pleased to hear that our new homes are extremely affordable and in most cases, it is cheaper to buy than to rent.”
Gleeson have previously completed other developments in Hyndburn, including in Rishton and Church.