THE building of 68 new homes on Blackburn’s Shadsworth estate has been hailed as 'brilliant' by its local councillor.

Blackburn South East ward's Cllr Jim Shorrock made the comment as proposals for the flats and houses in Staffa Crescent were granted planning permission.

On Thursday night, Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee heard that the properties were the latest stage of a £20m facelift for the 1950s council development.

Social homes provider Together Housing and Place Capital Group’s blueprint for the ‘Knuzden Gateway’ includes 24 one-bedroom apartments, 22 two-bedroom flats, 19 three-bedroom houses, and three four-bedroom houses, all for affordable rent.

The scheme includes a new electricity sub-station and improvements to nearby play area.

The new homes will be on a three-acre site cleared by the demolition of 28 vacant unfit properties.

The committee approved the scheme with 26 conditions despite three objections.

Cllr Shorrock said: "This is a brilliant investment in Shadsworth. It will be welcomed by estate residents.

"This is really good."

Amy Bronte Littlejohns from Together Homes said the much-needed new affordable homes were a key part of the £20m upgrade of the estate.

A report to the committee from borough planning manager Gavin Prescott said: “The estate is currently undergoing significant investment through phased redevelopment which includes a new youth hub and upgraded community park, the demolition of Gleneagles Court, and 10 three-bedroom infill houses at Brownlow Street, Orkney Close and Brodick Road

“Investment is targeted for the site due to the sub-standard quality of the pre-existing housing and its prominent gateway location,

“A mix of one and two bed maisonettes, as well as three and four-bed terraced houses are proposed. All would be two-storey.

"The homes have been designed to a high standard with embedded sustainable principles for energy efficiency.”

Matthew Newman, Assistant Director of Place Shaping at Together Housing said: “We’re thrilled to have received a unanimous decision from Blackburn with Darwen Council to approve plans to build 68 much needed, quality homes for the Shadsworth community. 

"Knuzden Gateway plans have been created to carefully consider the diverse housing needs people in the local area have. "Along with Place Capital Group, we’re keen to keep conversations open with residents to make sure we hear their thoughts about the ongoing investment into the area and receiving this approval, means we can do exactly that.”