BOSSES behind plans for new homes on the site of a Blackburn garden centre are trying to get out of paying almost £60,000 in developers fees.

As part of the permission granted by Blackburn with Darwen Council for 14 new homes on the former Beechwood Garden Centre site at Roman Road, Silverchic Developments Ltd was told it must pay £38,250 towards affordable housing and £21,090 towards public open space improvements as Section 106 contributions.

But now the firm has applied to have these fees waived because it says it will render the development financially unviable.

Silverchic Developments has applied to the council to modify the Section 106 agreement are modified to remove the firm’s financial obligations.

Mike Hughes, of planning consultants Smith and Love, said: ""e are instructed by our client Silverchic Developments Ltd to submit an application to modify the terms of the Section 106 agreement relating to outline planning permission for the erection of 14 dwellings at the former Beechwood Garden Centre.

"Silverchic Developments is seeking to modify the Section 106 agreement so that the obligations to provide commuted sums for affordable housing (£38,250) and public open space works (£21,090) are removed.

"To assist in the determination of this request, a Viability Report undertaken by Glovers Project Services has been submitted.

"The report confirms that there is no viability in the scheme to cover the payments for affordable housing or public open space works.

"We hope that in the interest of avoiding a significant delay to the delivery of new housing the council will agree that the proposed modifications are appropriate and that the matter can be dealt with as soon as possible."

Outline permission was granted for the development at Beechwood Garden Centre in Roman Road, Blackburn in 2017, with detailed plans given the green light in July.

Approving the application, borough planner Nick Blackledge: “Design of the proposed house types are of a scale and appearance that appropriately reinforces local residential distinctiveness; ensuring a well assimilated development.

“A detailed soft landscaping scheme is submitted that provides for an appropriate mix and density of species, including replacement tree planting to compensate for those lost as a result of construction work. Hard landscaping in the form of surface treatment to the internal highway and private driveways is appropriately sympathetic and commensurate with good design principles.

"Fifty nine neighbours were consulted by letter and site notices were displayed.

"No comments were received."