DARWEN is set to get a new bus route to go with its “fantastic” new retirement village.

Councillors approved the extra care residential development on Frederick Street and Shorey Bank despite concerns about extra traffic on the A666 and nearby streets.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The new scheme will provide an 85-apartment residential block, communal facilities including a restaurant, bistro and lounge, and 34 two-bedroom bungalows.

When Blackburn with Darwen Borough Planning Committee debated the application by developers Keepmoat, Sudell Liberal Democrat Paul Browne said: “I welcome this long-overdue application.

“It is going to be a fantastic development for the people of Darwen.

“I am concerned about how the traffic is going to get to and from the new village.

“There is already a lot of congestion on the A666.

“There are about four different ways of getting to the new development and it could make things worse on the A666.

“How do we stop that?”

Planning office Gavin Prescott said: “We will work closely with the developers to try and minimise the impact on traffic in the area.

“There will be a new bus route along Robin Bank Road to serve the residents and all of their visitors.

“It is to make it easer for residents to get in and out of Darwen.

“The council is also working with the developers and the Environment Agency to eliminate any risk of flooding.”

Fernhurst Tory Councillor Jackie Slater said: “This is a wonderful development.

“We will be extremely lucky to have this scheme, amazingly lucky.

“People are going to be queuing up to go there.

Committee chairman and Sunnyhurst Councillor Dave Smith said: “I think this will be a real asset to Darwen and people will be queueing up to go there.

“Some of the residents will be from the town so I’m not sure how much impact it will ha on the A666.”

The site was until 1993, occupied as part of a gas works, hosting railway sidings, service yards and a range of other buildings.

Once complete the retirement village will be run by Twin Valley Homes.

Mr Browne also expressed fears that residents would complain about the noise from the existing Frank Barnes Robin Bank Works, Mr Prescott said bedrooms and living rooms would be on the inside of the complex away from the noise and double and triple glazing would be used to ensure the flats were quiet for the residents.