A NEW housing estate in Great Harwood will bring ‘significant investment’ to the town if it goes ahead.
Up to 250 homes could be built on the Lyndon House Playing Fields, to the south of Harwood Lane and north of Hyndburn Road and Heys Lane, new documents lodged with the council show.
The 8.1 hectare site currently comprises of largely open land, partly used by Great Harwood Rovers JFC, the town’s largest remaining football club.
Replacement sports pitches will be developed elsewhere for the club to use, several new roads could be built, and the development would also include a children’s park, landscaping, and open space.
Developers have asked the council whether they need to include an Environmental Impact Assessment with their formal planning application.
Labour county councillor for Great Harwood, Gareth Molineux, said: “If this development goes ahead, the town will see significant investment.
“Great Harwood needs 480 new houses within the next 15 years to keep up with population growth and, with the Todmordon curve reopening early next year, Great Harwood is going to become an even more desirable place to live than it is now.”
Coun Molineux said he accepted the decision would ‘not be popular with everybody’ but said the council had to look to the future prosperity of the town.
He said: “We will see new open spaces created for public use, we will see children getting sports facilities they deserve, and will see the old Monroes site finally developed.”
Last month, council leader Miles Parkinson said the move would allow the football club to expand as he recommend the cabinet approved a cash and land swap deal.
Great Harwood Rovers JFC secretary Tony Jones said at the time: “We are pleased that this deal will allow us to bring a major improvement in facilities not just for the club but the town of Great Harwood.
“This will bring real benefit to a range of other organisations.”