PLANS have been lodged for 168 new homes in Darwen.

Persimmon Homes has submitted a major planning application for the new development to Blackburn with Darwen Council for land off Spring Meadows in the town.

The proposed development lies near the Kier Living 126-home development off Pole Lane.

Rachael Graham, Persimmon’s land and planning manager for Lancashire, said the development would consist of 14 two-bedroom homes, 97 three-bedroom homes and 57 homes of four or more bedrooms.

She added there would be parking spaces for 393 cars, as well as cycle storage for up to 336 bikes.

Formal pre-application meetings were held with council planning officers in January and February to help shape the proposed scheme.

Developers say the new estate would bring in an estimated £2million in council tax revenue, while the residents of new homes are predicted to bring a total gross spending power in leisure and sport of £135,441 into the local economy.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application reads: “The site will begin to contribute to the housing supply in the area – therefore the mix and range of houses is an important aspect to be fully incorporated into the design.

“In this case the site will provide a mix of small, mid range and larger family homes.

"Eleven different house types are provided across the site.

“Such is the mix of product across the site, that it cannot be considered not to widen the choice available across the borough.

“The proposed units and the submitted layout represents an efficient use of the land whilst creating an attractive development designed to meet market need in the area.”

Developers say there will not be any on-site affordable housing included as part of the development.

But Section 106 contributions are expected to include cash for offsite affordable housing provision elsewhere in the borough.

Persimmon will later submit a viability assessment for the council to consider because of the “considerable cost” in the technical development of the site.

This will set out the value of the surplus following the land receipt, development costs and developer margin.

The s106 cash is proposed to cover the management of on-site public open space, as well as money towards the Darwen East distributor road and cash towards extra primary school places in the south of Darwen.