Chemical plant homes get the go-ahead

HOMES PLAN: The former William Blythe chemical works in Hapton could be transformed into a quality housing development with 274 homes.

Plans to build around 200 houses on the site of a former chemical factory have been passed.

The application to build 202 houses on the former WM Blythe works in Manchester Road, Hapton, was passed despite some objections.

The Burnley Express revealed last week that the site had been identified under Burnley Borough Council’s Local Plan, which aims to build more than 2,000 new homes in the brough over the coming years.

Hapton Parish Council and ward Coun. Alan Hosker objected to the plan on traffic safety issues due to access to the site being too close to a bridge, which has seen a number of serious accidents in recent years.

But the Lancashire County Council Highways Agency said there were no issues associated with the development.

Coun. Hosker said: “I believe the developers should have been made to pay something towards making the bridge safer.

“I feel the entrance to the site is not appropriate and is too close to the traffic lights.”

However, the county council said that concerns relating to the incomplete pedestrian link over the canal bridge between the site and Hapton village have been rectified by the construction of footways and the installation of signals.

The agency said that £60,000 should be sought from developers to improve the canal towpath and Padiham Greenway links to the Burnley Bridge Business Park.