A massive new 477 home housing estate on a former school site has moved a step closer with the submission of a detailed planning application for the site.

The controversial development on 45 acres of land at Holden Fold in Darwen has been controversial since first proposed, with local Conservative councillors complaining local roads were unfit to cope with the increase in traffic and there were insufficient school places nearby.

The estate - on the site of the former Darwen Moorland High School - is a key part of Blackburn with Darwen Council's 2021 Holden Fold Masterplan.

The land was bought from the authority in December 2022 for a sum understood to run into tens of millions of pounds by major national housebuilding consortium Vistry Partnerships, which subsequently took over Countryside Partnerships, which have made the planning application.

It is for the building of 477 houses with public open space, landscaping, three ponds, the demolition of existing stable buildings, new parking associated with the Square Meadow sports pavilion, additional parking off Knowle Lane, and new vehicle access points off Holden Fold, Moor Lane and Roman Road.

Up to a dozen different two, three and four-bedroomed house designs will be used.

Blackburn with Darwen Council growth boss, Cllr Quesir Mahmood, said: "It is encouraging that developers want to invest in the borough, building homes people want to live in.

"The planning process will now take its course."

Blackburn South and Lower Darwen Conservative Cllr Denise Gee, who recently organised a march on Blackburn Town Hall over fears about new housing developments, said: "Residents are concerned about the lack of infrastructure - roads, schools and health care - for this massive housing estate.

"These must be addressed in the planning process for this scheme."

A 30-page supporting document submitted with the application to Blackburn with Darwen Council reads: "The proposed development would deliver a range of high quality, high specification homes for the local community in a sustainable location.

"The site comprises of pastoral agricultural fields and the site of the former Darwen Moorland High School. The school closed in 2008 and the buildings were demolished in 2016.

"The site will be developed in a way that creates its own sense of place and identity.

"The proposed development scheme seeks to provide 477 new high-quality family homes comprising a mix of two. three and four bed detached, semi-detached and terraced properties.

"The proposed dwellings vary from single storey to two and a half storey in height.

"There will be 101 two-bedroom properties, 247 three-bedroom properties and 129 four-bedroom properties,

"It is proposed that publicly accessible informal open space is provided comprising amenity green space, green infrastructure and play space.

"A minimum of two car parking spaces are provided for each house.

"There will be pedestrian links to the existing residential areas and this proposed development will link into its associated pedestrian network, maximising connectivity where possible.

"Houses will front onto the new access roads which will be set behind attractive landscaped frontages comprising of new tree and hedge planting.

"This will provide an attractive sense of arrival into the development.

"Private gardens will be placed to the rear of properties.

"Properties are to face directly onto streets and where it is necessary for side elevations to abut the public realm, additional detailing or windows will be provided to avoid blank gables and maximise overlooking and natural surveillance.

"One entrance into the site will be taken from a newly created roundabout on Roman Road.

"The entrance gateway will be framed by strong header/focal buildings.

"Houses surrounding this entrance gateway will be orientated to face onto Roman Road, providing a sense of place and an attractive forward vista into the development.

"A tree-lined avenue flanked by an attractive arrival green and landscaping is proposed which will run from the Moor Lane site entrance.

"Curved street geometry and a series of junctions are designed to calm vehicle speeds and the creation of a safe pedestrian environment.

"Countryside Partnerships strive to provide homes that are designed to improve energy efficiency."

Members of the public can comment on the plans on planning section of the Blackburn with Darwen Council website.