PLANS to build 35 homes on land at a former mill in Darwen have been withdrawn.

Blackpool construction firm R P Tyson submitted the proposal to build on the former Waterfield Mill site in Balmoral Road in May.

Built under the Government’s ‘build to rent’ scheme, the homes would then be rented out by social housing firm Twin Valley Homes.

Whitehall councillors hosted a public meeting, attended by about 60 residents from the nearby area, who voiced concerns about the number of homes and the fact that they would be for rent and could attract ‘undesirable’ tenants.

Agent Peter Williamson, of Liverpool-based Condy and Lofthouse Ltd, said: “We have withdrawn the plans on the request of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning officers.

“We have taken residents’ issues on board.”

Whitehall councillor Kar-imeh Foster said: “It is good news as people were worried.

“Hopefully the developers have listened to us and will change their plans accordingly.”

Husband and fellow Whitehall councillor David Foster said: “One of the suggestions was to do something for over-50s, like the Bowling Green Close estate.

“That was quite a popular suggestion among the residents and that would be well received.

“I think it would fit in with the area and that way the site would be developed, rather than sitting empty.

“Hopefully the developers have gone away to think about the suggestions made by residents.”

The plans for the former cotton mill include improvements to the site access, landscaping and two parking spaces per house.

A ‘design and access’ statement submitted with the plans said: “All houses are to be two-storey, with a variety of semi-detached and terraced blocks providing 23 two-bedroom houses and 12 three-bedroom houses.

“The site is both an eyesore for local residents and a potential focal point for anti-social behaviour.

“A residential development on this site would therefore likely be looked upon favourably by local residents for social reasons and would be a sustainable use of a brown- field site.”