Councillors are being asked to approve the sale of green land to a developer, to maintain borough finances and meet housing needs.

A one hectare-sized plot of land at Park Avenue in Haslingden was advertised to developers this spring by an estate agency and 15 bids have been received, Rossendale councillors have heard.

The land includes trees and has been used as open space. But there is existing housing nearby.

Borough councillors are being asked to approve the next step of the selling process.

The report adds: “The land is an allocated site within the Local Plan 2019 to 2036 for up to 30 dwellings.

"The site has received a high level of interest through a formal tender process and, subject to planning, the sale would facilitate the provision of much-needed housing to assist the council with its housing delivery position.”

It adds: “A strategic priority for the council is to ensure our portfolio of assets maximises income.

"To support that priority, a review of assets is underway and Park Avenue has been identified as a site in council ownership which is suitable for disposal."

Regarding potential buyers, the report adds: “All bidders were required to provide an offer to purchase including evidence of funds, a development track record, a proposed scheme, including indicative layout and housing mix, evidence of recent similar development projects and confirmation that the company holds the Homes Quality Mark standard.”

The tender process closed in February with scoring in March.

The successful bid will be evaluated and full due diligence checks will be undertaken, the report adds. 

As requested by Rossendale councillors, any proposal for the site should not exceed 30 homes. One third of the new homes should be 'affordable'.

On potential risks, the report states that if the successful bidder was to pull-out of the sale before exchange, Rossendale Council would then approach other bidders or could re-tender and advertise the property again.

These options could also be taken if the successful bidder could not achieve planning approval from Rossendale Council for new homes.

The full council will debate the proposal on Thursday, at Futures Park, Bacup.