Council Sells Land for £1 to Enable 31 Affordable Homes Development
In a significant move to address housing shortages, Blackburn with Darwen Council has agreed to sell a vacant and fly-tipped site for just £1, paving the way for a new social housing estate. The land, located off Crosby Road in Higher Croft, will be redeveloped by the Together Housing Group (THG) to construct 31 properties for affordable rent.
Details of the Housing Scheme
The development will feature a diverse mix of housing types to cater to various needs. It includes 16 one-bedroom houses, eight two-bedroom bungalows, two two-bedroom houses, one three-bedroom property, and four three-bedroom homes. All units will come with gardens, enhancing the quality of life for future residents. Notably, 10 of these homes will be built to accessible or wheelchair-adaptable standards, promoting inclusivity.
Strategic Need and Council Support
Deputy leader Cllr Quesir Mahmood authorised the sale, emphasising that the proposal meets the strategic need for affordable homes in the area. In a report to colleagues, he highlighted that the council-owned land, which includes the sites of the former Longshaw Home for Older Persons and the demolished Longshaw Nursery, was assembled specifically for this purpose. The nursery was relocated to the extended Longshaw Infants School, making way for the new development.
Overcoming Challenges and Funding
The project faced several hurdles, including an uneven layout across two parcels intersected by a road and higher-than-normal land remediation costs. The Longshaw Nursery building was deemed unsuitable due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), identified as likely to fail. To address these issues, the council secured a Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF) grant for hazardous material removal, demolition, and site remediation.
Independent valuation advice placed the land's value at £165,000, but a viability appraisal revealed a funding gap of over £280,000 due to high remediation and build costs. To bridge this gap, the council provided BLRF grant funding towards remediation and highways infrastructure costs and agreed to sell the land for £1, ensuring the scheme's feasibility.
Infrastructure Improvements
The development will also bring infrastructure benefits to the community. Crosby Road will be widened to improve vehicular access to Longshaw School, and a new footpath has been created to enhance pedestrian safety, addressing previous concerns about visitors walking in the road to access the school.
Planning permission for the comprehensive scheme was secured in November 2025, with the council disposing of the cleared land to THG, a registered provider, at residual value as per grant conditions. This initiative underscores the council's commitment to tackling housing needs and revitalising underused sites for community benefit.
