THE Coal Authority is investigating the sudden appearance of a hole blamed on an old mineshaft on the site of a controversial housing development.

The statutory body's move has been welcomed by local councillors concerned about the safety of the planned 343 houses being built on Baileys Field in Darwen by Altham-based McDermott homes.

West Pennine ward Conservative Cllr Julie Slater alerted it to the ground collapse on March 5 and said she was 'very pleased' at the investigation.

Darwen East Liberal Democrat Cllr Roy Davies, who first warned of the mineshaft problem in March 2018, said it was 'good news'.

Cllr Phil Riley, growth boss for Blackburn with Darwen Council which granted planning permission for the scheme near the new Ellison Fold Way, said: "We will do whatever we are instructed by the authority to make sure the development is safe."

There are believed to be at least ten disused mine shafts in Baileys Field including two discovered during construction of the road in 2018.

Mick Owens, principal project manager of the Coal Authority’s Public Safety and Subsidence team, said: “On Friday March 5, we received a report of a ground collapse in a field off Ellison Fold Lane in Darwen, Lancashire, and our regional team responded quickly to fence the area and make it safe for the public.

“We are carrying out thorough investigations to determine the cause and, if this was due to historical coal mine workings, we will design a permanent solution and carry out repair works as soon as we can.”

Cllr Slater said: "I am very pleased that the Coal Authority are investigating this. It is dangerous and houses should not be built there.

"This collapse was caused by digging from developers along the line to which mineshafts are linked into Baileys Field, from Hoddlesden, Blacksnape, Pickup Bank and Belthorn, where I believe nuclear waste is stored underground.

"A resident saw this hole open up when she was walking her dog.

"How many more times are holes going to open up while the developers are digging?"

Cllr Davies said: "It is good news the Coal Authority is investigating. It is exactly what I warned about in 2018. We need to make sure these new homes are safe."

Cllr Riley said: "The developers are well aware of the mines and they know they have to fix this."

Local residents have launched a petition against the housing estate.