PLANS for five new “mansions” lodged on behalf of the billionaire Blackburn brothers behind Euro Garages have been met with fierce opposition.

Mohsin and Zuber Issa are involved with an application for five new homes on Billinge End Road which was submitted earlier this month, proposing to knock down eight existing houses to make way.

But nearby residents fear the development could ruin the character of the area if the plans are not amended, and dubbed the proposed buildings ‘McMansions’.

In a letter to Martin Kenny, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s principal planning office, a spokesman for residents in the area said: “As residents of Billinge End Road, my neighbours and I have several misgivings about the proposed demolition and development.

“Although the development directly affects us as neighbours, it also impacts homes on Meins Road, residents of Mellor who look out on to the valley, as well as the wider borough of Blackburn with Darwen.

“Blackburn faces many challenges and has areas in need of vast improvement, so it is of paramount importance that high-quality areas are not undermined by insensitive development.

“The proposed scheme in its current form has the potential to jeopardise the character and charm of the area, which I feel would have a negative impact on the whole borough.”

The spokesman added: “The current design proposal takes eight high-quality, uniquely-designed, desirable, generously-sized family homes with large gardens and creates a linear housing estate of identical super-sized mansions.

“The design of the development proposals can be described by the term McMansions with sheer size dominating over design quality.”

A design and access statement submitted as part of the planning application reads: “The existing dwellings are all early 20th century with no distinguished architectural merit in varying styles.”

Those opposed to the development have urged the council’s planning department to take note of their objections.

The Issa brothers declined to comment.