Villagers' mixed response to 1,800 new homes plan

Some residents have expressed concerns about an influx of traffic as plans for 1,800 homes on a former colliery and power station site move a step closer.

Hyndburn Council is preparing to purchase vital land and property for the Huncoat Garden Village project, which will be one of Lancashire's biggest housing schemes.

Plans are in place to build on the former power station and colliery sites in Huncoat, which were demolished in the 1980s and 90s.

Although some residents were worried about congestion, other villagers told the BBC the £460m scheme would be a boost for the area.

Landlady Michelle Boult, who runs the Griffin's Head Hotel on Burnley Road, said the project would be a boost for the village.

She said: "I think it'll be good for the community and we're hoping it brings a bit of business our way."

Building a new £6.8m highway is a key first stage in the construction of the project to bring the new homes to the area.

David Daly, who chairs the Huncoat Community Forum and is against the plans, said: "A major issue for people in the village is traffic. That's what most people feel is the most important aspect."

He said he did not know how the infrastructure would cope with a big increase in the number of cars on the roads and he doubted the proposed slip road would "make a lot of difference".

Meawhile, David Fielding, who was visiting Huncoat, said "housing is needed" but "it has to be affordable".

He said: "If you're a young person who's earning £25,000-£30,000, has a wife and a child, it's no good building a four or five bedroom detached house that is going to be £350,000. They just can't afford it.

"If they can build some houses that they can afford then it will be good for the community."

Mr Fielding dded: "Bringing new people into the area is always good and hopefully helps the local shops."

Out of the 1816 new homes being built, 363 of them will be new affordable and social properties.

In a report, Hyndburn Council deputy leader and councillor in charge of housing Melissa Fisher said "good progress continues to be made" on the project including the selection of a preferred contractor to construct the road and outline planning being submitted for the site.

The overall masterplan envisages the creation over 15 years of a new village centre, an expanded primary school, additional railway station parking, 60 acres (24 hectares) of accessible open space, new woodland and new sports facilities.

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