A local authority is proposing to sell two plots of open land blighted by fly-tipping for redevelopment as houses.

On Wednesday, Hyndburn Council's cabinet will be recommended to approve the sale of the vacant sites in Dale Street on the edge of Accrington town centre, raising £120,000.

A report to the meeting on Wednesday by regeneration and housing boss Cllr Kath Pratt says: "I recommend that cabinet approves the disposal of the two plots of open space land at Dale Street, Accrington, and delegates authority to the head of regeneration and housing in consultation with the director of legal and democratic services to finalise the terms and conditions of the proposed disposal.

"Vacant land south of Dale Street and land north of Dale Street prompted interest from local developers requesting to purchase them for redevelopment subject to compliance with planning requirements.

"In December 2022, the two sites were advertised for sale on the council’s website seeking offers on an informal tender basis.

"Three offers for the combined sites were received, these were: £17,000, £120,000 and £200,000.

"The highest offer of £200,000 was rejected as this offer was conditional on the inclusion of other plots of land elsewhere in the borough.

"The combined offer is significantly below market value and as such is considered unacceptable.

"The second highest offer of £120,000 comprises £100,000 for the land south of Dale Street and £20,000 for the land north of Dale Street with both the individual and combined offers deemed market value.

"Both plots are public open space and therefore the council followed the requirements of Section 123 (2A) of the Local Government Act 1972, by advertising its intention to sell the land on January 13 and January 20 2023. No objections were received.

"The council could choose not to accept the offer and not dispose of the land but this could be mean forgoing an opportunity for development of the site which has been vacant for many years and is a focus for fly-tipping.

"The sites could be re-marketed to see if an increased offer would be made.

"This should be rejected as they were advertised for sale which has tested the value in the open market and the preferred offer for each site is deemed market value.

"Recent offers fall well below this offer.

"The disposal of this site will generate a capital receipt of £120,000 and save time and money on future property management and clearing away any subsequent fly tipping.

"The development of the site for housing will generate revenue income via council tax receipts."