PLANS to build a large extra care residential development on brownfield land in Darwen are set to be approved by councillors this week.

The plans, for Frederick Street and Shorey Bank, will go before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

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And council officers have recommended the proposal – for an 85-apartment extra care unit, communal facilities including a restaurant, bistro and lounge, and 34 two-bedroom bungalows – should be approved.

The proposal has been submitted by developers Keepmoat but once complete the unit would be run by Twin Valley Homes.

The recommendation comes despite an objection being submitted by the Environment Agency over the lack of a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA).

In their report to councillors, planning officers said: “The site is considered to be brownfield having previously been occupied as part of a gas works, hosting railway sidings, service yards and a range of buildings.

“All infrastructure was removed from the site before 1993 and since then the land has remained in a derelict condition.”

Commenting on the recommendation, an Environment Agency spokesman said: “In the absence of an acceptable surface water Flood Risk Assessment, we object to this application and recommend the refusal of planning permission until a satisfactory assessment has been submitted.

“The proposed scale of development may present risks of flooding on-site and/or off-site if surface water run-off is not effectively managed.

“The residential area immediately downstream of this development flooded badly in 2012, therefore it is imperative that surface water run-off has an element of rainfall infiltration and is restricted to reduce the risk of flooding downstream.

“An FRA is vital if the local planning authority is to make informed planning decisions.

“In the absence of an FRA, the flood risks resulting from the proposed development are unknown.

“The applicant can overcome our objection by undertaking an FRA which demonstrates that the development will not increase risk elsewhere and where possible reduces flood risk overall.”

The proposal was recommended for approval subject to a number of conditions, including addressing the concerns about flood risk.

Officers concluded: “The proposal will make a contribution to improving housing provision for the elderly in the borough while being compliant with policy requirements.

“Any harm that may arise from the proposed development is significantly outweighed by the benefits of the proposal.”