PLANS to knock down a 19th century church to make way for seven homes have been revealed.

An application was sent to Blackburn with Darwen Council proposing to demolish the old St Chad’s church, which dates to about 1870, on Pleckgate Road, Blackburn, to build the houses.

According to documents, 15 off-street parking places would be created as part of the new development. If approved, it would be made up of six three-bedroom semi-detached houses and one four-bedroom detached house.

Developers hope the houses would help meet demand for starter homes, with increasing need for three-bedroom homes on the rise.

A design and access statement includes: “The dwellings are designed to ensure good quality accommodation, to maximise internal living space whilst maintaining a relatively small footprint.

“It is not financially viable in this economic climate to allow land to remain derelict and unused. Allowing a lesser density of dwellings on the proposed site would be risking erecting buildings which are not affordable for first time buyers or meet the needs of the local market.

“It’s clear that through market research local to the site that there is a need for more compact, smaller dwellings that implement the land and enhance the local area. The proposed development promotes the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system.

“The principles include high-quality, affordable residential accommodation through good and inclusive design within a parcel of land situated in an established residential area, having good access to public transport, local shops and off-street parking.

“The local area is to be subject to a housing shortage of which is set to and as a result the local infrastructure has been considered to maintain adequate levels of service to cope with new developments as provided by local schools, services and amenities.”

“It is considered the development of this site for the intended use and numbers will meet guidelines set out for the area and assist to provide a mixed use of residential properties in the vicinity in accordance with planning policies and Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council housing requirements and propose that the application and development should be encouraged.”