LATEST survey has revealed that Blackburn with Darwen Council's urban regeneration programme to build homes on re-used sites is well above the national average.

The survey shows that of the 527 homes built during 1996-97, 62 per cent were built on brownfield sites - well above the Government's current target of 50 per cent.

And while the total number of dwellings built is down on the previous year, the healthy housing stock figures mean that the council is now in a stronger position about not having to use unsuitable locations to build.

But the report reveals that the supply of brownfield sites - sites which have previously been built on - is anticipated to diminish. So officials believe it is important that the green belt boundary is not drawn too tightly and that land is safeguarded for development on the edge of the urban areas. The survey also shows that the large majority of completions of 10 or more dwellings were on large sites. The biggest projects being carried out at the Royal Ordnance Factory site, Whinney Heights, Craven's Farm, Chapter Road/Minster Crescent and Cherry Tree Goods Yard.

The council's Planning Sub Committee was last night (Thursday) expected to pass a recommendation to publish the results of the survey. The publication will be available to developers, students and the general public to use as a guide for £50.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.