A DEVELOPMENT of almost 100 new homes in Burnley has been welcomed.

The scheme – submitted by Preston firm J and P Builders Ltd – for 94 two-bedroomed bungalows off Gannow Lane has been approved by borough council planners.

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It will develop a vacant site once occupied by Peel Mill.

Local councillors Bea Foster and Charlie Briggs welcomed the development as bringing new homes to the area.

The eight-acre Cloverbrook site, occupied by the three-storey Peel Mill until it was demolished in 2010, was originally designated for a mix of homes and industry. In 2008 and 2012 planning applications for residential and commercial use were approved but subsequently lapsed.

Now Burnley council planners have approved the latest plan despite objections suggesting part of the site should be retained for possible expansion by car dealership Motorpoint.

The borough’s development control committee had to approve the redesignation of the land for residential-only purposes in March before their officials could approve the latest scheme for the vacant land in front of several blocks of terraced homes near the canal.

Their report said: “The site is part of a wider area identified in the Local Plan as an Economic Improvement Area.

“The western site has been recently redeveloped as part of a major car distributor as a car reception and preparation area.

“The site has significant physical and developmental constraints notably the M65 running along the site’s southern boundary elevated by an embankment and retaining wall, and terrace housing along the northern boundary. The site offers potential for pleasant residential settings adjacent to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.”

Rosegrove with Lowerhouse Labour councillor Bea Foster said: “This a great development of the sort of bungalows we need in the borough. It is also an area where we need new homes.”

Gannow Liberal Democrat Cllr Briggs said: “This is a fantastic development bringing new, modern homes to an area where they are badly needed. There are a lot of Victorian terraces. My family lived in one of them when they moved from Blackburn to Burnley in 1899.”

The developer and agents, Avalon Town Planning Ltd, had no comment to make.