A TOTAL of 40 new homes could be built on the site of a former quarry and scrapyard in Rossendale, under plans submitted to the borough council.

Land off Blackwood Road in Stacksteads is earmarked for the development, which includes the proposed demolition of an existing home.

The plan is for a mix of two, three and four- bedroom detached, semi-detached and townhouses and 18 bungalows with one to two bedrooms.

One third of the homes are due to be affordable, divided equally between shared ownership and affordable rent arrangements.

Applicant John  Heaton is seeking planning permission from Rossendale Borough Council. 

The borough’s development Control Committee will consider the plan this evening. Other applications this month include one for a small mountain bike/BMX cycling track for young riders at Edenfield.

Planning officers are recommending approval of the Stacksteads housing application with various conditions. They are recommending a so-called Section 106 agreement, where the applicant would pay money towards a community asset at the new housing estate along with cash for work to enhance the natural habitat or biodiversity elsewhere in Stacksteads. The council says a contribution to local schools is not needed.

A planning report for councillors states: “Then new homes would be constructed along a new access road off Blackwood Road, with a turning head at its southern end, and around a central area of public open space.  The proposed homes would be faced in a combination of reconstituted stone and white render, and would have black UPVC window and doors with painted concrete lintels and sills. Roofs would be reconstituted slate-effect tiles.”

Seven objections and one letter of support have been received by the borough council.

Key concerns are that the land is unsuitable for housing, feared harm to nature and the environment, housing will not be affordable, traffic and parking issues, land contamination or ground gas, flooding risk, the impact on the area’s appearance, impact on neighbours, pressure on local services and infrastructure, drainage and housing density.

However, comments in support of the plan include the development’s use of unused land, job creation for local people and the use of building materials in keeping with the area.

The new bike track, called a pump track, is earmarked for Edenfield recreation Ground. The applicant is the Proffitts community investment company (CIC). It is seeking permission for the track with raised banks, jumps, hard surfacing and drainage, split into two separate areas for beginners and advanced cyclists. Planning officers have recommended the track be repositioned from an earlier plas to minimise any noise disturbance to nearby homes.

Other applications include a front garden summer house at 15  Water Street, Whitworth, which is recommended for approval; and a single storey extension at Woodstock. Goodshawfold Road, Loveclough,  also recommended for l approval.

The development control meeting will be held at Rossendale Council’s offices at Futures Park, Bacup, at 6.30pm.