Storm over bid to build 38 homes
PROPOSALS to build 38 affordable homes for rent have caused a storm of protest.
Premier Builders Ltd have applied for planning permission from Hyndburn council for the development in Great Harwood.
The 4.3-acre site off Delph Mount is currently grassland and trees.
If completed, the scheme would be run by a registered social housing provider.
But it has already produced several objections on road safety grounds and protests at the loss of green space.
And the Facebook group, Harwood Is Our Home Town, has called on residents to submit more by the deadline of Tuesday, September 7.
Supporting documents submitted with the planning application say: “The overall vision for the application site is to provide a distinctive and high-quality residential neighbourhood, which improves the local area and enhances existing green space assets.
“The proposed development will create 38 new dwellings, ranging from one-bedroom cottage flats to three-bedroom dwellings.
“It will provide a mixture of semi-detached and terraced dwellings. Each will have its own car parking spaces and private amenity space.
“The proposed mix of residential dwellings has been developed in partnership with a registered social landlord seeking to take on the management of the estate, when built.
“The proposed scheme will be set within a robust green infrastructure, which will include the retention of a belt of open space alongside the retention of all mature trees and hedgerows within the areas of priority woodland on the north and south eastern boundary.
“One hundred per cent of the dwellings will be affordable.
“The type and tenure will be decided by the Registered Social Landlord, responsible for managing the built development.
“The evidence clearly demonstrates that the highest demand for affordable units is one, two and three-bedroom dwellings.
“Two public rights of way will be retained.”
Nicola Sanderson said on the Harwood Is Our Home Town Facebook site: “Please help us save our green spaces from development.”
Katie Walton posted: “It’s alright building new properties but have we got enough schools and health care facilities which will be needed for extra families moving into the area?”
Fred Wharton, of Edge End Lane, said in a letter of objection: “This proposed site will destroy the only wild green area that we have left in the town. It is a harbour to all forms of wildlife including hedgehogs, foxes and early this year I saw two deer at dawn. The decision to build on it will have a devastating effect on wildlife.”