PLANS have been submitted to extend a proposed new housing estate on a moorland eyesore site.

In March Kingswood Homes won permission to build 72 properties on the site of the Vernon Carus Mill, near Hoddlesden.

Now it is seeking planning approval for another seven on the adjoining Vale Rock Mill land off Johnson New Road.

The firm proposed to build five four-bedroom and two five-bedroomed detached houses on the 0.3 acre site.

The scheme requires the demolition of existing dilapidated buildings.

Supporting statements submitted with the planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council say: "The layout of the two sites have been integrated and will operate as one comprehensive development.

"The two industrial units situated within the north of the Site are of very poor quality and comprise numerous buildings over two levels.

"The housing mix on the site will include a range of four and five bed detached two-storey dwellings.

"There will be a mix of house types based upon the Kingswood Homes Farmstead range, reflective of those delivered at the Greenhills development situated in Feniscowles.

"The proposed homes will be specifically designed to reflect the rural character of the site and reinforce the transition between the Hoddlesden settlement to the south and the open fields to the

north and east.

"The applicant has taken all opportunities to incorporate tree planting wherever possible to enhance the ecological value and rural character of the site. A number of trees are proposed within the south to provide a visual feature from Johnson New Road.

"The continuation of the Kingswood Homes Farmstead range with the introduction of a stone facing material is inspired by Hoddlesden Village Centre.

"This makes the proposal unique to this area as it responds specifically to its contextual surroundings.

"The proposal also utilises split level two-storey house types which harness the site’s steep topography to minimise their impact on the landscape character.

"It is worth highlighting that these proposals would bring significant material benefits including the redevelopment of a vacant site in a prominent location of poor visual quality which has fallen into disrepair, the creation of an attractive street scene when viewed from Johnson New Road, the provision of a high-quality residential scheme comprising, and the remediation of a site in industrial use and provision of ecological benefits which will support local wildlife."