Burnley Council’s executive is set to approve a contribution of £250,000 to support the re-development of the Perseverance Mill site in Padiham.
The site has been derelict for more than 10 years and the council, working with the Calico Group and the Homes and Communities Agency, is at a point where there is potential for bringing forward a housing scheme that would transform this area of the town.
There is a funding gap of £250,000 that is required to make the scheme viable, due to the high remediation costs and low land values of the site.
The council’s executive is recommended to approve the contribution from the authority’s housing capital programme and enable the scheme to go ahead.
If the grant is approved, a planning application for 58 properties to be built on the site is due to be submitted next month (September) with a view to work starting on site in March 2017 and the properties being completed in 2018.
Councillor John Harbour, executive member for housing and environment, said:
“I and my fellow ward councillors are extremely pleased with the work that Calico has undertaken to get the project to this stage. We also recognise the importance of the role played by the Homes and Communities Agency whose support for the regeneration of this site has been essential.
“The council will play its part in transforming this area, which for too long now has blighted the lives of nearby residents. Now work can start to bring life back to this part of Padiham.”
Anthony Duerden, the Calico Group’s chief executive, said: “We are grateful for the support of the council to help us make this much needed £6.3 million investment in the area.
“Perseverance Mill will be the latest in our Affordable Homes and Refurbishment Programme, in addition to the continued the refurbishment of our homes across Burnley and Padiham.”
“Delivering high quality, affordable housing for local residents, as well as creating new jobs in the process, is a key priority for us. We are now looking forward to starting work on this much needed development.”
