THE next step has been taken in plans to redevelop the Griffin housing site in Mill Hill and Moorgate, Blackburn.

Executive board approval to offer the Griffin housing site for development as two separate phases was secured in December 2017.

Council bosses say the site is now ready to be offered for development for new housing.

And interested developers have expressed a desire to buy the land, which will be split into two development phases, as one site to develop family housing.

Now a report is set to go before the executive board next week, proposing to delegate powers to deputy chief executive Denise Park and regeneration and resources bosses, councillors Phil Riley and Andy Kay, to select a preferred bidder and negotiate terms

Since 2008 the council has been actively working to buy properties by agreement in the Griffin area.

A total of 165 properties had been identified for purchase and clearance through a Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment and the majority have now been purchased and demolished.

Three houses on Hardman Street remain to be bought and the council will continue negotiations to buy these properties by agreement.

If it is unsuccessful a compulsory purchase order could be considered.

A report to go before the executive board on Thursday states: “The Griffin sites have been identified as being suitable for the provision of good-quality family homes.

“Initial estimates show a potential to develop approximately 120-150 new two, three and four-bedroomed family homes.

“Officers in the Growth and Development Team have undertaken extensive assessments of the site to prepare it for development.

“A suite of surveys and studies have been completed for the site along with indicative proposals for housing type and tenure to meet with local aspiration and need," the report adds.

“A number of options have also been assessed to determine the best way of disposing of the site so that the council can influence the pace and quality of housing delivery.

“Soft market testing has resulted in private developers and registered providers showing their interest for the entire site.

“The council has also acquired the Griffin public house which is currently being prepared for demolition with the land to be included in the development site.”

The area in Mill Hill has been earmarked for development since 2010.

Phase One will see more than 80 private homes for sale on the site which used to be East Street, Coleridge Street and Bombay Street. The council is now seeking a developer.

Phase Two around Stansfeld Street and Hancock Street will see a slightly smaller development of rented homes by Together Housing.

Cllr Derek Hardman, Conservative regeneration spokesman, supports the scheme.

The council declared a renewal area in Griffin in September 2010 which saw a programme of refurbishment of privately owned homes and the demolition of others using funding from final months of the government’s Housing Market Renewal Programme.

A total of 165 homes were programmed for clearance with the majority purchased by the council between 2011 and 2015.

A grant of £670,000 has been received by the council from the government’s Northern Powerhouse programme pay for the demolition and preparation work.