ANOTHER major housing development is set to go-ahead for south-west Burnley – on land which has been a frequent stopping-off point for travellers in recent years.

Land off Accrington Road, back to Venice Street, will be the site of 81 new homes which are part of the borough council’s redevelopment partnership with Doncaster-based Keepmoat.

Just this week another small encampment of travellers has moved away from the Hargher Street area, having been there for under a week.

Council workers yesterday conducted a clean-up operation as a number of caravans and cars moved off.

Councillor Howard Baker, who represents Trinity ward, said: “This will see the bulk of the land in south-west Burnley developed, going up to the Taywood Nursery at the top of Accrington Road.

“It is looking good there now and will be even better once this development is completed. The only thing we have got to contend with now is the former Gardner Aerospace site, but that is in private hands.”

The front half of the two- and three-bedroom development is bounded by Accrington Road, Hargher Street and Clough Street, and is mainly comprised of short terraces.

Another smaller section, between Smirthwaite Street and Venice Street, behind The Old Schoolhouse and Hargher House, with just under 20 properties has been pencilled in.

Architect Soulla Rose said: “In developing this proposal the design and consultant team have sought to deliver a desirable living environment within this area of Burnley.

“Development of the site brings regeneration benefits in the long and short term, and is deemed an appropriate use of this redundant area.”

The only issue to be resolved is over an access area onto Accrington Road and the development was given permission subject to discussions being satisfactorily resolved between the developer and highway officers.

Council planning officials believed that the lack of affordable housing, or public open space provided, was outweighed by the overall merits of supporting the regeneration of the site, where rows of terraced houses have previously been bulldozed.

Construction work is already under way for a nearby site, to the west of Hargher Street, for which 43 homes were given planning permission back in 2011.