NEW bungalows, built to help meet local housing needs, have been unveiled.

Cllr Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said the 34 two-bedroom bungalows on Frederick Street, Darwen have been built for older people in the area who need single-level homes designed for wheelchair accessibility.

The wider doorways, easy access wet rooms and manageable gardens make the bungalows ideal for people with mobility problems.

He said: "It’s been lovely to meet some of the residents of the new bungalows and we hope they’ll be very happy in their new homes.

"The 34 bungalows, along with the neighbouring Riverside Heights housing with care scheme which is due to open in summer, have been purpose-built to provide high quality housing for older people.

"This development features some fantastic facilities and provides older people with a wider range of housing options for the future."

Last week, the scheme's residents welcomed visitors to their new homes, developed by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Together Housing and regeneration specialist ENGIE.

New resident Denise Garvin said he was 'delighted' with his bungalow.

She said:"I loved the bungalow as soon as I saw it.

"With my worsening health problems, I needed to move to somewhere more suitable without stairs.

"It’s spacious and I’m able to have my grandkids over which I couldn’t do where I lived before.

"I love sitting out in the large garden watching them playing on the trampoline.

"I’m delighted with my new home."

Kevin Ruth, Deputy Chief Executive of Together Housing, said: "I attended the ground-breaking ceremony when work first started so it’s great to see the finished homes and the first residents moving in.

"There is a shortage of this type of housing that meets local needs and can transform people’s quality of life.

"With house prices growing in the area, Together Housing is delighted to work with its partners to make accessible housing available for affordable rent in Darwen."

Jeff Hook, Construction Director for ENGIE, added:

"This is a good example of partnership working, which puts local aspirations and the needs of the local community at the fore of the project.

"We thoroughly researched the Darwen population and listened carefully to residents, who were clear in their desire to secure greater housing options for older people.

"It’s fantastic to now meet those residents that are benefitting from the new homes and watch this new community come together."

This summer 85 self-contained apartments will open adjacent to the bungalows under the housing with care scheme.

It includes a residents’ lounge, restaurant and hair and beauty salon. Residents of the bungalows will be able to use the facilities of Riverside Heights, as will the local community.