Tree objections to former Blackburn paper mill canalside homes

Blackburn Waterside Regeneration Ltd has asked for planning permission to build 141 properties on the site of the former Sappi Paper Mill in Livesey Branch Road, Feniscowles.

The company already has outline approval for the overall project and the green light for the first 95 homes on the brownfield site.

Tomorrow night Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee will debate the latest application.

It proposes the building of 14 two-bedroomed homes in a mix of terraced and semi-detached house types; 75 three-bedroomed homes in a mix of terraced and semi-detached house types; 42 four-bedroomed semi-detached and detached properties; and 10 five-bedroomed detached houses.

They will be sited along the towpath of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

But nearby residents have objected to the scheme on the grounds of loss of privacy and the felling of up to 22 mature trees, some subject to protection orders.

A consultation with neighbours produced eight letters of objection from residents of Kingsley Close on the other side of the canal and a protest petition.

They are concerned that the new houses will overlook their homes and that the trees scheduled for be chopped down are key to the character of the area.

Cllr Derek Hardman, who represents Livesey with Pleasington ward, said: “In discussions with planning officers the developers have moved the houses further down the canal to deal with the privacy issue and reduced the number of trees to be felled in the light of the objections.

“These issues will be discussed by the committee tomorrow.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne, like Cllr Hardman and member of the planning committee, said: “This application is moving in the right direction.

“I want to see as few trees cut down possible, preferably none at all.”

Officers have recommended the committee to approve the application subject to nine conditions describing it as ‘high quality’.