A PROPOSAL to build 10 homes on a small sloping woodland near a town centre has been branded ‘completely unacceptable’.

The scheme would develop the 0.8 acres site off Fountain Street in Darwen with five pairs of semi-detached four-storey houses each with three bedrooms.

It would require the felling of the existing trees - mainly Birch, Ash and Rowan - to accommodate the new homes.

Darwen Town Councillor Paul Browne has pledged to object to the proposal by Mr A Shorrocks of Moorland Court in the town

The planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council says: “The site is within a predominantly

residential area, and is considered vacant with no apparent current or previous use.

“In its present state the site is a steeply sloping area of densely planted broadleaved trees.

“The land is clearly situated in the heart of a residential area, and would appear to be appropriate and suitable for development as an ‘infill’ site, subject to loss of woodland space.This application proposes to develop the land to create a development of 10 semi-detached dwellings.

“The proposals have been designed to be sympathetic to the surrounding area and the applicant is committed to creating a development which sits comfortably within the surrounding area.”

Sudell Liberal Democrat Cllr Browne said: “This proposals is completely unacceptable.

“This woodland, its trees and wildlife have been there for donkeys’ years. I shall object to it.”

The planned houses would be stepped to accommodate the slope over four floors, one in the roof space. The application promises ‘sympathetic landscaping’.