ALMOST 100 new homes are set to be built on the former home of a football club.

Together Housing has been granted permission by Rossendale Council to build 95 new homes on the former ground of Rossendale United FC in Dark Lane, Newchurch.

The stadium was gutted by a fire in January 2012 after fans of Rossendale United had put the wheels in motion to start a new club, Rossendale FC, and it was hoped that they would begin in August 2012.

Plans for the development were first mooted in 2017.

Rossendale United FC, which competed in the North West Counties League, was dissolved in 2011 after suffering financial problems and the site has not been used since.

Plans had previously been submitted for 50 homes to be constructed on the site in 2012, but they were later withdrawn.

Recommending approval for the scheme, borough planner Mike Atherton said: "The proposed scheme would replace the dilapidated structures and overgrown former football club pitch on the site and it is considered that the development would result in an improvement to the general appearance of the site.

"The proposed plans show that the dwellings and apartments will be of a high standard of design, and that measures such as the use of appropriate materials, landscaping and sensitive boundary treatments have been incorporated into the scheme to secure a high quality appearance to the scheme.

"The submitted plans demonstrate that the proposed scheme will maintain adequate separation distances between the proposed dwelling elevations and existing neighbouring properties.

"It is not considered that residential use of the site will necessarily cause any greater impact on neighbour amenity than the former lawful, use of the site as a football ground.

"Given the siting, orientation and massing of the proposed dwellings, it is not considered that the scheme will result in an unacceptable loss of privacy, daylight or outlook for the occupiers of any nearby residential properties."

As part of outline permission for the scheme granted in 2017, the applicant also agreed to pay £130,755 towards new sports pitches at Marl Pits Leisure Centre in Rawtenstall to make up for the loss.

Hilary Brady, Together Housing Group head of development, said; “We’re delighted the housing development application for Dark Lane in Newchurch has been approved.

"Together Housing is working in partnership with Rossendale Borough Council and Homes England to develop 95 much needed new homes for affordable rent in the local area.

"Work will start in the New Year and is planned to complete in 2022.”

Members followed the recommendation in Mr Atherton's report and granted permission for the scheme.