A CONTROVERSIAL moorland site on the edge of the moors above Darwen has now been earmarked for six 'ultra-modern' eco homes.

The land near Ellerslie, a 19th century house, has previously had controversial plans for 18 and 22 houses approved but never built.

Now proposals for six 'highly sustainable' detached houses have been out forward.

The applicant, Ms Patricia da Silva of the Ellerslie Fold Management Co. Ltd, believes this new scheme is an improvement on the time-lapsed previous proposals which generated considerable local opposition.

Nearby residents were concerned about the traffic and road safety implications for Bury Fold Lane leading to the site for new housing.

A requirement to widen the narrow country lane was imposed on the approvals.

A separate application for a single detached home on the land has since been approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Darwen South councillor Kevin Connor said: "I have lodged and objection and I think residents will do so too.

"My fear is that the landowners are now trying to get the 18 homes piecemeal to try and circumnavigate the condition to widen the road."

A design and access statement submitted with the application says: "The residential development proposes to erect six ultra-modern and highly sustainable detached dwellings including a new road and landscaping

"The proposed dwellings will be two storeys high utilising the changes in site levels to provide undulation rooflines and stepped gardens.

"The central roundabout will have rockery landscaping with native planting and a water feature .

"The development features ultra-modern designs aimed at providing a high-quality, innovative dwellings that are locally distinctive.

"The radical departure from traditional housing designs was so that the development did not create a pastiche of designs seen elsewhere.

"The deep cantilevered overhangs flat roofs draw inspiration from the celebrated Prairie-style architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.

"The development is proposed to be served by the existing access off Bury Fold Lane.

"A Highways Technical Note has been submitted in support of the view that Bury Fold Lane need not to be widened as a result of significant decrease of traffic generation from the development.

"The development will be constructed using injected timber frame panels .

"The excellent insulation and thermal efficiency of the injected panels will reduce living costs and energy bills.

"Electric vehicle charging points will also be incorporated in all the dwellings, located within the garages.

"Renewable sources of energy will be incorporated in the development."