Controversial Blackburn 600 home estate approved by council

This came despite a warning they are building 'overkill' which will swamp local roads, health services and schools.

Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater told Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee the scheme at Bank Hey Farm by Persimmon Homes Lancashire was 'too big' for the local infrastructure to cope with.

However, his plea to turn down the project was rejected by the meeting on Thursday night after it considered a huge 565-page agenda item, including more than 360 objections from residents in the area.

In July 2023, residents marched through Blackburn to the Town Hall to protest the plans for housing on 121 acres of mainly grazing land between Heys Lane and Bog Height Road.

Almost 600 houses will be built

On Thursday night, Blackburn South and Lower Darwen ward's Cllr Slater took their protest to the meeting as it granted full planning permissions for 553 homes, and outline approval for another 45.

He said: "This application is overkill and should be rejected.

"It will cause problems with the local infrastructure of highways, health services and schools which are already overstretched.

"It will come home to roost. The council is building, building, building and there will be more to come."

Tory planning spokesperson Cllr Paul Marrow said he was deeply concerned about safety on local roads, which were already 'choc a bloc and not fit for purpose'.

His Livesey with Pleasington ward Conservative colleague Cllr Derek Hardman added: "This is all about money - more council tax into the council's coffers."

More than 35 acres of green space will be retained on the site

Both voted against the scheme, in which the initial phase of the development will consist of 132 two-bedroom homes, 66 of which will also have home office space; 159 three-bedroom houses; 198 four-bedroom houses, 32 with home office space; and 64 five-bedroom homes.

A variety of house types are proposed.

The scheme includes more than 35 acres of public open space, including sections of retained woodland and a village green to enhance the natural habitat for wildlife.

The meeting approved the planning officer's recommendation to grant permission for the scheme, with 73 conditions including a record £7.55 million developer's contribution from Persimmon to boost local infrastructure through a s.106 agreement.

Local protestors marched against the plans last year

This includes £3.3m to provide extra primary school places locally; £3m to improve local highways, including a new link road between Bog Height Road and Ashwood Avenue for which work will start in 2026, and improvements to the A666 Bolton Road/Jack Walker Way South Junction; £513,577 to upgrade local NHS services; and £668,008 to boost local sports facilities.

Moving approval, council regeneration boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: "This site has long been allocated for housing.

"It is a good development. It will benefit local residents who will move into these high-quality homes."

Ewood ward Labour councillor Jim Casey said: "There is a need for these homes. It's a really well put together plan."

Committee chair Cllr Dave Smith said: "This is not green belt land. It is not council-owned - it is 97 per cent private land.

"It has been allocated for housing since 2011. It's been a long time in the making and, in my opinion, is a very good plan"

Andrew Laing, land director at Persimmon Lancashire, said: "We’re pleased committee members have voted to reaffirm the recommendation for approval.

“This development will provide a range of house types for young people, families and downsizers alike with excellent access to local amenities."

Cllr Slater said: "I am very disappointed. It's been a long fight. Labour councillors have once again ignored the massive and damaging impact on local residents."