THE first residents of Blackburn-raised designer Wayne Hemingway’s new housing development in the town have started moving in.

Twelve months since housing developer Kingswood Homes began work on the Green Hills estate on Livesey Branch Road in Feniscowles, 20 of the 167 new homes are built with another 20 under construction.

So far 16 are occupied and 32 have been sold.

The high-profile scheme, designed by Wayne and and his Padiham-born wife Gerardine, use 40 designs specially tailored to their hillside setting.

It has two, three and four-bed houses and flats priced from £169,950 and available through the government’s Help to Buy scheme for first time purchasers.

Two new village greens at the heart of the development are also taking shape.

The first stage will be completed by September next year.

Mr Hemingway said: “Blackburn is on the first wave of what looks like a significant renaissance.

“Green Hills just felt like the next natural step – to create new homes that were worthy of the town.

“The scheme is a fine example of what can be achieved when you put together a team that believes it can break the mould.”

Susan Walker,who has bought a two-bedroom apartment, said: “I absolutely love it! I like the fact there are lots of different properties being built here, not too many of any one kind, which means a good mix of people.”

Kingswood Homes’ development director Paul Jones said: “Green Hills has put Blackburn firmly on the map for how new build housing can be delivered

“Wayne and Gerardine, along with the architects, have managed to perfectly fuse design that captures the essence and celebrates the history of the area but also accommodates high specification, modern styles of living.”

A recent First Time Buyers event saw more than 100 people through the doors keen to join the housing ladder at Green Hills.