NEW proposals have come forward to develop a patch of scrub land on the edge of Blackburn town centre for housing.

In July 2016 the acre of neglected urban land was earmarked for a high-quality £1.2million development of ‘extreme eco-homes’.

The scheme proposed nine new houses, priced at £180,000 each, with the latest environmentally-friendly technology to keep heating and energy bills low.

But the Wensley Meadows proposal - the brainchild of of Blackburn architect-turned- ‘green’-property-developer Wayne Penrith - never came to fruition.

Now ESA Homes has come forward with a new scheme for nine houses on the site and applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for permission in principle for the development.

The move has been has been welcomed by local Wensley Fold councillor Dave Harling and borough Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater.

A supporting statement prepared by architects Cassidy + Ashton says: "The application site comprises of a parcel of land, located at the northern end of Moulding Close in the Witton area of Blackburn.

"The site is currently vacant, comprising of overgrown vegetation and some scattered trees.

"It currently comprises an underutilised parcel land which does not contribute positively to the wider area.

"The site is located within an accessible part of the borough, close to the town centre, and with a number of local services and facilities within walking distance.

" It is therefore clear that the site is within a sustainable and accessible location, appropriate for new residential uses and which can accommodate attractive homes for future residents.

"The proposals represent an obvious infill development. Nine new high-quality dwellings would sit comfortably within the site and allow for sufficient private outdoor space and associated infrastructure.

"It provides the opportunity for a range of house types to be constructed. It expected the housing will meet a requirement for family housing in the area."

Cllr Harling said: "It's a small piece of land which at the moment is not used for much through no doubt some local residents would miss the green space. This does not seem an unreasonable application although I would hope some environmentally-friendly aspects will be retained in the proposed new homes."

Cllr Slater said: "I am in favour of this and using brownfield land for housing. I would like to see some of the eco-friendly elements of the previous plan in these new homes."