McDermott Homes housing plan for Burnley former school sites approved

McDermott Homes lodged an application in January to build the new development on the former Habergham and Ivy Bank high schools off Kiddrow Lane, Burnley.

Councillors and residents raised concerns and vowed to fight any development on the land and keep the green space in between the school sites.

The 26-acre site is more than half green open space including former playing fields and ‘habitat areas’.

Burnley Civic Trust was among the objectors, claiming the spaces should be kept for recreation.

The trust had also objected to the proposal by Lancashire County Council when it gave notice that it intended to use the land for housing development.

It says there is practically no play area in this part of Burnley.

But the application was approved despite opposition.

As part of the agreement, McDermott must stump up £526,040 to Lancashire County Council to fund the provision of extra places at Padiham primary school.

A further £40,000 is to be paid to the county council for sustainable transport improvements.

And £87,699 will be paid to the county council to fund improvements to Lockyer Avenue sports field.

A McDermott Homes spokesman said: “The development can be delivered in the short term to help boost the five-year supply of deliverable housing land.

"It will redevelop and recycle vacant, previously developed land in a sustainable location in the urban area.

“It will result in the demolition and clearance of the former school buildings on the site that are a visual blight to the area and source of vandalism and nuisance.”