THE green light has been given to plans to build 205 new homes to complete a council’s housing development masterplan.

Blackburn with Darwen’s planning and highways committee has given permission for Story Homes to build the new estate in land off Gib Lane.

The work will include a mix of three, four and five-bedroom semi-detached and detached homes.

The plans were passed comfortably, although four of the 14 members of the committee wanted the decision deferring.

Cllr Dave Smith, chair of the planning and highways committee, said: “We receive a lot of applications for housing in the borough but this is a good one.

“It will have a lot of benefits to Gib Lane and we should really support it.”

Cllr Sylvia Liddle, who sat on the committee at the meeting, said: “It’s a good investment in the borough.

“It shows great signs of confidence throughout the housing market.

“It’s a major improvement to a well-known spot and should provide pavement improvements down Gib Lane.

“This is something residents complained about for many many years.”

The council’s ‘Gib Lane Masterplan’ is a key part of the authority’s blueprint to build 4,000 executive homes on greenfield sites in the borough.

Siobhan Sweeney from Story Homes said: “It should be a development of the highest quality.

“It should make a significant contribution towards meeting Blackburn’s housing needs.”

The decision follows successful applications for the other two sites in the area.

Blackburn-raised designer Wayne Hemingway is spearheading plans for a 169-home estate named ‘Green Hills Blackburn’ on a 25-acre site between Gib Lane and Livesey Branch Road.

Another development by Wainhomes NW will see 79 new properties on for 12 acres of land to the West of Gib Lane.

Concern from local residents and councillors had been expressed about the width of Gib Lane.

Meadowhead’s Cllr Keith Murray, had concerns over several issues with the plans and wanted them deferred.

He said: “There are quite a few issues, the drainage is the main problem. It needs to come through the Gib Lane site itself, but it’s not stated in the plans."

Work should start in the summer with the first homes completed by spring next year.