Plans advance for more than 600 homes in Blackburn

Housebuilders have been put on alert for a 20-acre site south of Whalley Old Road on the outskirts of the town, while Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes have acquired 113 acres to bring forward an additional 450 homes south-west of Blackburn centre. 

Land off Whalley Old Road 

Landowners Anglo Eastern Trust, Sheila Jacques, and Blackburn with Darwen Council are searching for a developer to buy 20 acres north-east of Blackburn town centre. 

The council owns half of the site, Anglo Eastern Trust owns seven acres, and Sheila Jacques owns the remaining three acres. 

A masterplan for the land drawn up by Lea Hough, Cass Associates and Woodcroft Design suggests the plot is suitable for 165 two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom houses.

The land to the south of Whalley Old Road is a key part of a wider growth strategy across north-east Blackburn.

The emerging local plan for Blackburn with Darwen proposes allocating around 247 acres north and east of Whalley Old Road as a strategic development site.  

The creation of a roundabout on Whalley Old Road is aimed at unlocking land for up to 1,500 new homes. 

Developers have until 17 December to express their interest in the site. 

Land off Broken Stone Road 

The development will cost in the region of £57m to deliver. Credit: via planning documents

Taylor Wimpey and Barratt Homes have lodged a reserved matters application to build 450 homes off Broken Stone Road. 

Having acquired the site, both housebuilders will deliver 225 homes and pay more than £3m in Section 106 contributions towards education, affordable housing, green infrastructure and road safety improvements. 

The scheme will cost in the region of £57m, according to the developers. Around 70 acres of the site would be given over to open space. 

Nikki Waud, land and planning manager for Taylor Wimpey Manchester, said: “We’re very excited to be working with Barratt Homes on this new community on the rural outskirts of Blackburn. 

“Our design will aim to emulate the character of the local area and embed this new development into the existing community.  Should we receive planning permission, our new homes will fit seamlessly into the surrounding countryside.” 

Pegasus is the planning consultant for the project and MSPL is leading on design.