A PLANNING application has been submitted to build 53 new homes on two vacant plots of land either side of Britannia Street in Great Harwood.

Keepmoat Homes want to develop three acres of cleared land.

The land had previously been used for industrial purposes having mill buildings located on the site as far back as 1895.

They propose to construct 11 two-bedroomed homes, 39 houses with three bedrooms and three four-bedroomed properties.

A Design and Access Statement submitted with the application to Hyndburn Council says: "The planning applications being applied for amounts to 53 dwellings which is considered adequate and appropriate for the size of the site.

"A mixture of properties sizes and types are being provided to ensure that a range of family housing can be delivered.

"The site has had a number of planning applications applied for over the last 15 years with approvals being granted for a nursing home, a residential development for up to 80 dwellings and residential development for 46 dwellings.

"Britannia Street runs between the northern and southern parcels.

"The application site is set within an existing residential / town centre location. This is interspersed with commercial properties.

"The northern parcel is bounded to the east and south by Water Street and Britannia Street.

"The southern parcel is bounded by Britannia Street and Queen Street.

"Existing landscaping features have been retained where possible.

"A new landscaping scheme will be produced for the proposed development which will have a positive impact on the visual and ecological amenity of the site.

"Public open space will be situated within the southern parcel.

"The properties on the proposed development are a mixture of two and two and a half storeys in height which is similar to that of the surrounding area.

"The 2.5 storey properties have been pepper potted throughout the development.

"Locally prominent materials such as red brickwork are proposed to be incorporated into the scheme.

"The house type design seeks to reinterpret the existing ‘traditional’ Lancashire Vernacular and that of the wider Lancashire area.

"Care has been taken to design feature houses which provide visual interest as well as wayfaring points through out the development.

"Vehicular and pedestrian access to the development is to be taken from Britannia Street and Water Street.

"In developing these proposals Keepmoat Homes will deliver a desirable living environment within this part of Lancashire which complements and sits comfortably within its surroundings."