PLANS to bring almost 70 new homes to an area have been praised for looking to bring ‘much-needed’ affordable housing.

Proposals have been submitted to Hyndburn Council to build 69 new homes on land off Thwaites Road in Oswaldtwistle.

The plans from Persimmon Homes Lancashire and Thwaites Road Developments Ltd will include 20 per cent affordable housing as part of the new estate.

The company said the plans will help encourage ‘sustainable development’ across Hyndburn.

Cllr Julie Livesey, who represents Oswaldtwistle on Hyndburn Council, praised the plans and said the homes were needed in the area.

She said: “I think more affordable housing is good news, it’s definitely needed in Oswaldtwistle.

“I’m quite happy with those plans.

“A housing development like this would be good for the area.

“It’s a good location for it, you’ve got that road from Thwaites Road to Union Road.

“There may need to be an extra road linking it up or some speed reduction measures but I’m sure that will all be sorted in due course.

“It’s much-needed in the area.”

The plans included provision for 28 three-bed homes and 27 four-bed properties and a total of 187 parking spaces.

There will also be three two-bed properties and 11 three-bed homes available under social renting housing.

The applicant said the site was located in a sustainable location, with good public transport links, and the impact of the development will be ‘negligible’ on the surrounding highways network.

A planning statement from Persimmon Homes said: “The site at Thwaites Road is in an ideal location to help Hyndburn Borough Council to meet its annual housing targets.

“The site is a long-standing housing allocation, and this proposal will allow the delivery of housing to be realised in a timely manner.

“The development of this site represents a significant opportunity for Hyndburn to support and promote sustainable development.”

The land is currently a greenfield site and is used for grazing location for ponies in the area and is located next to White Ash Primary School.

The site is adjacent to the White Ash Brook Greenway public footpath which has been incorporated into proposals.

A new ‘safer’ footpath for walkers and cyclists using it will also be added, which will be open into the woodland.

Cllr Stewart Eaves, who represents the area on Hyndburn Council, said: “I don’t think it will do any harm.

“There will be some people who don’t like it I’m sure.

“But we’ve got to commit to building more houses,” said Cllr Eaves.