AN 'unsightly and unkempt' piece of land on outskirts of a town centre has been earmarked for nine new family homes.

The brownfield site in Queens Park, Blackburn, has seen six previous planning applications over the past 20 years some to nothing.

The land in Lambeth Street and next to Parkside Mill has been subject to intermittent fly-tipping.

Now the Geloo Brothers of Cleaver Street, Blackburn have made a new planning application for eight semi-detached dormer homes and one detached house.

A Design and Access statement submitted with it to Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "This is an ideal opportunity to develop an unsightly unused brown-field land into a pleasant space, providing new attractive quality homes to the Audley and Queen’s Park area.

""We believe the proposed development will positively impact both the surroundings and the local community while developing a site which is presently a eyesore.

"The site is situated on land off Nottingham Street/ Lambeth Street/ Lincoln road, Blackburn. The current owners bought the land over 20 years ago.

"The site has strong border protection but still occasional suffers from fly tipping.

"Adjacent to the site is the Parkside Mill built in 1906.

"The proposal aims to utilise an unkempt piece of land and create a development of nine family houses consisting of eight four-bedroom 2.5 storey semi-detached and a four-bedroom 2.5 storey detached house.

"Each of the homes has a substantial rear garden.

"The homes are aimed at growing families that currently live in the area and need more space.

"This proposed site plan includes the formation of a new access road running the length of the site from the Lambeth / Nottingham Street west edge parallel to the existing factory wall.

"The nine dwellings are arranged in a line facing the new road and each house has a three metre wide driveway to accommodate three cars.

"They have been positioned to allow the reasonably-sized rear gardens to take advantage of the southern aspect and midday sun.

"A key aspect of the development and important for its visual success will be the improvements proposed to the existing factory wall. These will be achieved by renovation and decorative work.

The proposed dormer houses will be 2.5 storeys high of approximately 1,500 square feet. The uppermost storey is created in the roof space with subtle dormer windows.

"It is envisaged that the proposed development will result in the delivery of a high-quality and attractive place for families to live and enjoy."