BUILDING work on a 135-home housing development has ‘slowed down’ while bosses ‘assess the market’.

Liverpool-based McInerney Homes started construction on its Belgrave Mill development off Bolton Road, Darwen, in September 2006.

So far, 44 of the 135 homes set to be built on the site have been completed.

Bosses said they expected all the building work to be completed by 2009 and that they were ‘confident’ in the site.

Stephen Grant, sales director for McInerney Homes North West, said: “Last week we had three sales which was fantastic.

“Understandably the building work has slowed down as we assess the market.

“We are confident in the site and know it is going ahead.

"All the ground work has been has been completed.

"We will be putting the builders back in and we have moved a new sales office on to the site.”

McInerney was given planning permission for 79 two-bedroom apartments and 56 three-bedroom family homes.

They are being built on the site of the former Crown Wallcoverings factory, demolished in 2006 along with the landmark 200ft chimney.

The first show home was opened in October 2006 at a special ceremony with the mayor.

At present there are 19 of the homes up for sale, with prices ranging from £130,000 to £176,000.

The firm has launched a new marketing campaign which promotes the homes as ‘ideal pads for lads and girls’.

McInerney is offering a ‘lads’ pad’ with an LCD TV, games console, stereo, DVD player and Espresso machine.

And there’s a ‘girls’ pad’ which includes a karaoke machine, hair straighteners, foot spa, stereo and pink kitchen pack.