Homes plan approved for Accrington industral site

2:33pm Wednesday 23rd July 2008

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PLANS to build 14 houses and 20 apartments at a former Accrington industrial site have been given the go-ahead.

The Pioneer Works site, off Horne Street, could now be demolished and used as a residential developement, after councillors on Hyndburn’s Planning Committee gave the scheme conditional approval.

Plans are to build 20 two-bedroom apartments and 14 three-bedroom houses in a courtyard arrangement with a shared tree-lined area.

However ward councillor Graham Jones objected saying that the number of empty properties in the area showed there was low demand for housing in this area.

He said: “We have to provide a good variety of housing in the borough, such as family homes with gardens and four-bedroom properties.

“I don’t think these small town houses and apartments will fit the bill.

“The housing here will be slightly les dense than in a terraced street. There are a high level of vacant properties in the area and all councils have been briefed that there is an over-supply of flats.

“I also personally think that having flats next to a railway line is like something out of a down beat Hollywood movie.”

However Huncoat councillor Dave Parkins disagreed: “I used to live on Horne Street when I was a kid 40/45 years ago and we’ve had meeting after meeting in this room on what to do with this site.

“I want to see this area regenerated with a residential development. Here we have an applicant willing to spend thousands on an area badly in need of regeneration. I know this is your patch councillor Jones, but I would bite his hand off to have the same offer for Huncoat.”

Simon Prideaux, chief planning and transportation oficer advised the meeting that this area, close to the town centre would typically be used for residentail, not industrial developments.

He said: “I think it’s importnat not to assume that high levels of vacant properties are because the area is undesirable - it may be due to any number of factors such as the age of the properties available.”

Seven councillors voted to approve the outline application from developer D & A Williams, while two voted against.