PROPOSALS to construct 202 family homes on the edge of Hapton are set to move a step further.

A borough councillor is expecting the prospect of the sprawling estate, on part of the former William Blythe’s chemical works, will be warmly welcomed by a number of residents.

The developer Gleeson Homes has been asked to come up with a construction timetable, landscaping and drainage details as well as a travel plan.

The reserved matters application comes after Burnley Council approved an outline plan for the site in June.

The developer has also been told it will have to preserve two spigot mortar sites and a wartime shelter, used by the Home Guard, if the scheme goes ahead.

Two Second World War ‘Blacker Bombard’ spigots remain on land around the edge of the site, off Manchester Road and must be preserved by law.

Cllr Joanne Greenwood, who represents Hapton with Park ward on Burnley Council, said she had concerns about whether the development would spoil the village aspect there.

She said: “But the residents I have spoken to have all said how excited they are at the prospect of new housing and larger properties being made available in Hapton.

“It is the chance to move into somewhere which may have more space, and perhaps a reasonably-sized garden, which people are finding appealing.

“I have concerns that our primary school is oversubscribed and there’s a main road and a hump-back bridge, generating a number of issues, which would have to be addressed. But as long as these could be dealt with, this could go ahead.”

The two, three and four-bedroom properties would be surrounded by a proposed recreational area.

This would act as a buffer between the site and Burnley Bridge Business Park, which is nearing completion nearby.

Planning agent Graham Love, in support of the original application, said: “The overall development presents a good opportunity to reinvigorate an existing majority brown field and restored greenbelt area, contributing towards the need for new housing as outlined by central government.”