The first property on a new housing estate at the site of a former home for older people has been occupied.
And a further three properties at the former Greenways Home for the Elderly in Darwen are already under offer.
The new houses in Salisbury Road – just a stone’s throw from Sunnyhurst Wood – is the second site to be brought forward in Darwen by Blackburn-based Lang Estates.
The mixture of 11 detached and semi-detached houses have been built on a former brownfield site previously owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council, where Greenways once stood.
The home was closed in 2013 as part of the authority’s shake-up of care for older borough residents, but it fell into disrepair and became a target for vandals.
It was demolished in 2015 and in 2018 was marketed for a new housing development.
Lang Estates director Russell Heaton said: “We are incredibly proud of how we have transformed what used to be an empty site into a premium new housing development for Darwen.
“Being from the area, we pride ourselves at Lang Estates on ensuring our developments bring a real uplift to the surrounding area, and I truly believe we have achieved that here.
“We’ve built homes to suit people at all stages of their lives – perfect for first-time buyers to those who may be looking to downsize in retirement and all within a hop, skip and a jump of the beautiful Sunnyhurst Wood.”
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s growth boss, Cllr Quesir Mahmood, said: “This land had stood empty and overgrown for many years after the nursing home was demolished.
“It’s brilliant to see how it has now been transformed into a development of quality new homes – benefitting the whole area.
“Importantly, the houses are all energy efficient too ensuring they are sustainable and cost-effective to run.”
Darwen West Cllr Brian Taylor said: “This is the best new development site in Darwen” after being given a guided tour of the new estate.
Cllr Phil Riley, leader Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “It feels like every other week, our borough is named in one poll or another for rising property prices and for being sought-after places to live – there is a real confidence in Blackburn with Darwen as a place.
“It’s very much down to the fact that we’re lucky to be surrounded by rolling countryside, the property prices here and the quality of homes on offer, the fantastic transport links and things like our schools and leisure facilities too.”
