A HOMES protester has told councillors debating a luxury housing development that wealthy people will not come into Blackburn to buy expensive homes.

Michael Findley, from Belvedere Road, Ramsgreave, was objecting to a scheme of 85 three and four-bedroomed new homes on nearby Parsonage Road.

He told the Blackburn with Darwen borough planning committee there was no demand for such large detached and semi-detached houses properties.

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The Persimmon Homes scheme is a part of the council’s plan to build up to 4,000 rural-style executive houses in and around the area borough by 2030.

Mr Findley said: “I have lived on Belvedere Road for 43 years – there is no demand for these properties. House prices for similar homes in the area have fallen by a third as they won’t sell.

“No-one with a lot of money will come to Blackburn. They will go to the Ribble Valley.”

He said local residents were very worried about safety on nearby narrow roads, flooding and the fact that the site had been ‘safeguarded’ from development in 2002.

Darwen councillor and Liberal Democrat spokesman Paul Browne responded: “This is a lovely part of Blackburn on the borders of the Ribble Valley.

“It is just where people will want to come and buy nice houses.”

Chairman Dave Smith said the 2002 ‘safeguarding’ of the land meant it was protected from the development only until there was a need for more housing in the borough which the latest plan from the council had confirmed.

He said the developers, who will give hand over £550,000 to the council for housing and highways improvements, had included steps to minimise the road safety and drainage risks of the development.

Coun Smith added: “If we refuse this application, the developer will appeal it and almost certainly win.”

Rachael Coar, from Persimmon Homes, said after the committee voted to approve the application: “We are pleased we were granted permission for the development.

“There were certainly messages from the meeting I shall take back with me.”

Borough regeneration boss Maureen Bateson said after the meeting: “Developers are showing both here and at Gib Lane by applying for planning permission that they want to build high-quality homes in Blackburn.

“They believe that there is a demand for those homes, as does the council.”