New Blackburn social homes for rent approved

New affordable homes on a Blackburn ‘eyesore’ have been hailed as good news for the area.

Councillors have approved the redevelopment of the vacant and fly-tipped Higher Croft site once occupied by a school and care home into a 31-property social housing estate.

The new properties on land off Crosby Road will be a mix of bungalows, terraced homes and semi-detached houses.

All will be for affordable rent and managed by Together Housing.

Bolton-based Seddon Homes’ application for permission to build the homes to Blackburn with Darwen Council was approved by the authority’s planning committee on Thursday with 23 conditions.

They include the widening of Crosby Road and its pavement.

Blackburn South-East ward’s Cllr Jim Shorrock said: “This is a good development for the Higher Croft area.

“It’s affordable housing that is needed on brownfield land.

“I fully support it.”

Ewood ward’s Jim Casey said; “This area has become a bit of an eyesore.”

He and Conservative group planning spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow welcomed the widening of Crosby Road as I and Manxman Road had become a bit of a ‘rat run’ for drivers.

Planning manager Gavin Prescott told councillors: “The site comprises two parcels of vacant land at Crosby Road, Blackburn.

“The site is previously developed land straddling Crosby Road which formerly hosted Longshaw House Home for the Aged (southern parcel) and

Longshaw Nursery School (northern parcel), prior to their demolition in 2016 and 2024 respectively.

“The plan aims to ensure that new development reflects the individual and collective character of areas of the borough and promotes high standards of design.

“As a scheme involving 100 per cent affordable homes, it is found to be acceptable owing to evident local demand.”