Darwen homes plan 'must go ahead now'

12:48pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News

LEADING opposition borough councillors have called for action to ensure that a controversial 133- home development on land between Pole Lane and Spring Meadows in Darwen goes ahead quickly.

Tory Alan Cottam and Liberal Democrat David Foster are concerned that now the scheme has planning permission, the developer will ‘landbank’ the site for months or make a small start on construction work, leaving it as a part-finished building site.

Coun Cottam tackled regeneration boss Dave Harling at the Blackburn with Darwen Council forum on the issue.

He said he was concerned that the site on green-belt land could be ‘banked’ until property values rose and then sold on.

Coun Foster feared work would be started but not finished.

Coun Harling said: “We have held discussions with the applicants and they have made it clear they wish to progress to selling the land to a house builder and develop the site. They have agreed to a two-year time limit.”

Builder David Knowles said: “We haven’t bought it to landbank it, we want to start work as soon as possible.

“I have no idea at the moment when work will start but we have a big site meeting later this week.”

Comments (6)

3:18pm Thu 7 Feb 13

jokeplans says...

Here we go again ! When will people realise that this development is not needed, not wanted and a complete joke. Apparently 148 new homes were being built on the site at the paint factory. Guess what ? Only 40 odd have been sold and now work has stopped. Surprise ! surprise ! It doesn't take a genius to work out that people aren't buying houses in this financial mess.
So i think i speak for hundreds of families around Pole Lane who say NO WAY ! And if things do improve, eg Banks are lending again and the housing market picks up well go and find some other land to build the rubbish thrown up plaster board ticky tacky boxes that all look the same somewhere else !!!
Or could it be that people can be bought these days ??? What next ? A multi-plex cinema nr Darwen Tower.
Here we go again ! When will people realise that this development is not needed, not wanted and a complete joke. Apparently 148 new homes were being built on the site at the paint factory. Guess what ? Only 40 odd have been sold and now work has stopped. Surprise ! surprise ! It doesn't take a genius to work out that people aren't buying houses in this financial mess. So i think i speak for hundreds of families around Pole Lane who say NO WAY ! And if things do improve, eg Banks are lending again and the housing market picks up well go and find some other land to build the rubbish thrown up plaster board ticky tacky boxes that all look the same somewhere else !!! Or could it be that people can be bought these days ??? What next ? A multi-plex cinema nr Darwen Tower. jokeplans

3:33pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Major Tom says...

Here come the NIMBY's.
Here come the NIMBY's. Major Tom

4:13pm Thu 7 Feb 13

Symboy21 says...

and where do you live Major Tom?

I agree no more planning until half finished sites are complete. The crown site developer has gone bust so the site needs to be sold on for some one else to finish.
and where do you live Major Tom? I agree no more planning until half finished sites are complete. The crown site developer has gone bust so the site needs to be sold on for some one else to finish. Symboy21

4:37pm Thu 7 Feb 13

tombhoy says...

with so many people on the waiting list for social housing, how can anyone seriously think that more housing is not needed is beyond me. This proposed development should be designated as social housing from the outset. There would be an almost 100% guarantee that occupation would be taken up as the houses were completed.
with so many people on the waiting list for social housing, how can anyone seriously think that more housing is not needed is beyond me. This proposed development should be designated as social housing from the outset. There would be an almost 100% guarantee that occupation would be taken up as the houses were completed. tombhoy

11:37am Fri 8 Feb 13

english rose 1 says...

Symboy21 wrote:
and where do you live Major Tom?

I agree no more planning until half finished sites are complete. The crown site developer has gone bust so the site needs to be sold on for some one else to finish.
But this site isn't 'half finished'. It hasn't even started yet !
*
According to the report the land is 'green-belt' - it isn't. It's been allocated as 'safeguarded' land for many many years. (safeguarded for future housing development.)
*
Recent changes in Govt planning rules means that Council's cannot now refuse developments on the grounds that other developments have not finished.
[quote][p][bold]Symboy21[/bold] wrote: and where do you live Major Tom? I agree no more planning until half finished sites are complete. The crown site developer has gone bust so the site needs to be sold on for some one else to finish.[/p][/quote]But this site isn't 'half finished'. It hasn't even started yet ! * According to the report the land is 'green-belt' - it isn't. It's been allocated as 'safeguarded' land for many many years. (safeguarded for future housing development.) * Recent changes in Govt planning rules means that Council's cannot now refuse developments on the grounds that other developments have not finished. english rose 1

11:54pm Fri 8 Feb 13

Mart8 says...

Why do people insist on juvenile name calling (and by that i'm refering to the Nimby comment) when it comes to questioning local developments?

Major Tom, it's a shame you have nothing constructive to bring to the debate other than low level name calling. That's a very weak attitude.
Why do people insist on juvenile name calling (and by that i'm refering to the Nimby comment) when it comes to questioning local developments? Major Tom, it's a shame you have nothing constructive to bring to the debate other than low level name calling. That's a very weak attitude. Mart8

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree