Homes to be built on brownfield site
THE construction of 15 new houses will see family homes built on the brownfield site.
Onward Homes housing association will oversee the development of 11 two-bed and four 3-bed homes between Yorkshire Street and Highbreak Terrace in Huncoat.
They received grant funding from Homes England as part of their rent to buy initiative.
This allows buyers to rent a home at an affordable price for up to five years while saving for a deposit, and gives them the option to purchase the property.
Permission was granted in January 2018 and after a delay due to having to divert an electric cable Tyson Construction was given the contract, and began building at the end of September, with completion set for November 2021.
At consultation the plan received six letters of objection, including one from former Hyndburn MP Graham Jones.
Coun David Parkins says he would have objected to the proposal over safety concerns had he been on the council at the time it was approved.
He claims if children are going to move into the properties, they will be short of play areas, and raised safety concerns over the proximity to the railway crossing.
“I think it’s a stupid place to put 15 houses; I think it’s a bit of overdevelopment personally, he said.
“It looks a bit tight with 15 houses on that piece of land. I would be concerned about purchasing a house there with children, with the railway being so near.
“Kids want to play, but the roads are far busier now than what they were years ago and there’s more heavy traffic coming through now.
Coun Parkins says the allocation for housing in the area has been increased due to the recent approval of between 1,100 and 1,685 homes at the garden village development on the former Huncoat power station site.
He says the council took some employment provision out of the garden village masterplan to reduce the amount of heavy goods vehicles driving through the area.
He said: “At the end of the day you’ve got to have the infrastructure to go along with the properties - this is what we’re not getting at the moment.”
Documents sent to the council at the time of the application by planning agent DK-Architects said the development would positively contribute to the local area’ by increasing quality’ housing stock and prevent anti-social behaviour by bringing a vacant site back into use.
They said: “The proposed development is a unique opportunity to provide high quality accommodation in an established residential area. The scheme has been designed with the aim of reducing the visual impact of the building and providing much needed housing for the area.
Onward Homes, who purchased the land from Hyndburn Borough Council, said in response to Coun Parkins’ concerns: “The planning application and all public comments were considered in detail by Hyndburn Council professional staff and approved by councillors.
“We are pleased to be underway delivering quality homes in this suitable location.”