A housing developer aiming to redevelop a site in the centre of Blackburn to provide much needed housing has been given six months to firm up proposal.
Planners back the redevelopment of Ash Grove but recommended refusal to proposals for building 28 new homes on the site of a former petrol station.
Harry Cartmill, the chair of the council’s Development Management Committee urged more time for the council and builder to hammer out better plans and provide more information.
Graham Developments Ltd applied for planning permission to build 16 flats and 12 homes on the south side of Ash Grove, across the road from the town’s shopping centre and Partnership building.
A report to committee stated: “The principle of housing on the site is acceptable.”
Refusal was recommended because a number of site surveys were missing, as were details of the remedial work that would need to be carried out on the site of the former petrol station.
The plans were also unclear on the resting of a bus stop and telecoms pole on the fringe of the site.
Councillors were generally in favour of the redevelopment of the area for housing but concerned at missing documents and surveys.
Councillor Pauline Clark said: “I would welcome housing on the site, I think it would help the area develop a bit, but it needs to be right.”
She said residents in the new homes could complain about the noise emanating from the telecoms mast.
“In the interests of making sure I would absolutely support moving it one so we can have reports in place. The site needs to be redeveloped.”
Councillor Cartmill said: “I want to see these houses. I’m minded to give you one more chance to get these reports in. I’m trying to find a solution here I would like to continue this and hopefully this impasse, this brick wall can be knocked down. Can we continue this so both parties, council and the developer can get together and find a solution.”
By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter
