A GOVERNMENT planning inspector will publicly examine Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning strategy, including proposals for 4,000 executive-style homes on greenfield sites, next week.

Starting on Tuesday, the official and his team will take evidence for eight days.

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The council has already submitted its new ‘Local Plan’ to the government inspectorate.

The public hearing is scheduled to take place from December 2 to December 11 at Blackburn Old Town Hall.

Extra time can be allocated if necessary.

If the inspector approves the plan, which allocates land for housing, industrial and commercial use, it will be presented to the borough’s full Council Forum early next year.

Under the scheme published in March last year, greenfield sites covering 1,200 acres of countryside on the outskirts of Blackburn and Darwen were earmarked for 4,000 executive-style homes.

Land to the north and west of Blackburn and around Darwen was identified as suitable for larger luxury properties.

Instead of concentrating on two and three-bedroom homes in urban areas, regeneration chiefs changed policy to opt for “Ribble Valley executive homes at Blackburn with Darwen prices”.

The 10 sites cover 1,198 acres of which 593 are currently “green belt”.

The council has to meet targets of 9,400 new properties in the next 15 years.

Critics have condemned the plans as threatening the borough’s country borders .

The sites are: Blackburn Rugby Club, 200 homes; Brownhill Drive, currently green belt, 300 plus; Preston New Road, near Scarr Lane, 150 plus; Parsonage Road, Wilpshire, 60; Yew Tree Drive (Barker Lane to Preston New Road) 200 plus; Gib Lane, 500 plus houses on two sites; Bailey’s Field Darwen, 500 plus; Kirkham’s Farm, Cranberry Lane, Darwen, 200; Pole Lane, Darwen 264 on two sites; and Jack’s Key reservoir, dozens of homes in small pockets.