A CONTROVERSIAL plan to build 110 homes in rural Darwen has been revisited and expanded to include an extra 28.

Applicant McDermott Homes has tabled plans to build 138 homes on greenfield land at Kirkhams Farm, between Cranberry Lane and Jacks Key Lodge.

Proposals include developing the 18-acre site with homes of three to four bedrooms, and associated car parking and landscaping.

The plans are an extension of a scheme to build 110 houses which was granted planning permission by Blackburn with Darwen council in September 2015.

The new scheme seeks to build a further 28 homes despite complaints from residents and councillors about the previous application.

In total, the council received 101 letters of objection outlining concerns around drainage, traffic and flooding.

Cllr Paul Browne, who represents the Sudell ward on Darwen town council, described the plans as ‘ridiculous.’

He said: “I fought against the plans last time and this just is too much, it’s gone over the top.

“The infrastructure in the area simply doesn’t have the capacity to deal with it.

“The access to the development is poor, the road system is not big enough, schools don’t have the capacity and there is an issue with flooding and drainage.

“It’s just ridiculous and I will be objecting to these plans.”

But in planning documents on behalf of McDermott Homes, PWA Planning said the proposal would deliver housing on one of the borough’s key sites, allocated for residential development through the local plan.

They said: “Planning permission was granted on the site in September 2016 for the development of 110 houses.

“Since that time, a new scheme has been developed based on the design principles of the previous scheme to include a higher number of dwellings.

“As demonstrated through the design and access statement, it is considered that the proposals which are the subject of this current planning application are appropriate to this application site.

“The proposed development would deliver a high-quality housing development on an allocated housing site in a sustainable location and would provide an economic boost to the area.

“Economically, the proposals would provide a significant boost to the local economy and in the long term to assist in sustaining local business and facilities.

“The proposed development would provide an attractive place to live with excellent links to the centre of Darwen and beyond, improving the vibrancy of this part of the town in line with the social aims of sustainability.”