A NEW housing estate has been given the go ahead in Darwen.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has approved the building of 112 homes on a site at Marsh House Lane.

The nine-and-a-half acre site will be the biggest in Bolton building firm's Hargreaves Homes portfolio.

Coun Dave Smith, who represents the Sunnyhurst ward in Darwen, said: "This had been earmarked for property for the last 30 years and it's good that something is finally going to happen."

Hargreaves say the development will showcase a range of luxury properties ranging from two bedroom apartments and mews-style houses to large four-bedroomed homes.

Work will begin later this month and will take around two years and the houses will be the first designs developed by the firm's experts.

Residential development manager for Paul Miller said : "We are delighted that the planning consent has been secured for this site. We have the expertise to provide high quality housing to suit everyone's individual need."

One condition attached to the planning permission is that the developer gives money to Blackburn council to provide leisure facilities.