Earlier this month (21^st November), Blackburn with Darwen Council met to approve our plans for the redevelopment of seven acres of land within the Whitebirk estate in Blackburn.

As part of our continuing partnership with Together Housing to deliver its place shaping strategy, the plans include 46 one-bedroom apartments, 45 two-bedroom houses and apartments, 54 three-bed houses, and seven four-bed houses. All of the homes will be available for affordable rent.

Along with the new homes, the plans also provide significant investment to upgrade recreational spaces, streetscaping and the landscaping of incidental greenspaces. Key to the shaping strategy is the redevelopment of the estate’s central park which will see the creation of a multi-generational park providing new play areas, seating, open and accessible pathways, and a planting programme to increase biodiversity.

The new homes will be energy efficient with proposals to include a number of efficiency measures including solar panels, air source heat pumps, and other systems as part of Together Housing’s ongoing commitment to help tackle climate change.

Matthew Newman, assistant director for place shaping at Together Housing, said: “We are delighted that our plans for Whitebirk have been approved. Together Housing and Place Capital Group have continued to work closely with residents and ensure careful consideration of their views which were reflected in these proposals. This development will provide much-needed affordable homes, whilst also transforming the estate into a place residents can feel proud to call home.”

Eleanor Binns, Place Capital Group’s project director, added: “We’re incredibly excited to reach this key milestone which marks a significant step forward in realising the ambitions of the place-shaping strategy for Whitebirk. The planning approval means we can now begin the important work of delivering the much-needed new homes and estate-wide improvements that will benefit the whole community.”

To view the plans, search for reference number 10/24/0740 on Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning portal.