Blackburn housing development to resume after two years

Work on a flagship housing estate in Blackburn is scheduled to resume after two years.

Construction of the 450 home Watermills development on the former Sappi Papermill site stalled in January 2023 after the main building contractor Bradford-based Torpoint (Civils) Ltd went into administration.

Now independent housebuilder, Wain Homes has agreed a partnership with landowners Black Pearl Capital to complete the estate in in Livesey Branch Road, Feniscowles.

The firm will also build the rest of a major ‘spine road’ between Moulden Brow and Livesey Branch Road of which only the main entrance has so far been finished.

Just 17 houses had been occupied when work stopped two years ago but is now hoped work will resume the this summer or autumn.

Local Livesey with Pleasington ward’s Cllr Paul Marrow, who is also Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Tory planning and growth spokesman, said the agreement was ‘fantastic news’.

Planning consent to transform the former Sappi Paper Mill site on Livesey Branch Road was granted in 2015 to Black Pearl Capital with permission for up to 500 homes and four commercial premises.

The first 95 properties on Watermills have already been already under construction.

Wain Homes is now bringing forward a detailed planning application for the next phase of homes with an aim to start construction later this year, subject to receiving a further planning permission superseding the existing ones.

The development will enable completion of the new link road aimed at enhancing the local highway network as housing progresses.

The revised planning application will incorporate a new Transport Assessment and detailed road design, offering updated timelines for road completion.

Abbas Jafarian, Black Pearl Capital’s chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted to announce the collaboration with Wain Homes in expediting the completion of the Watermills vision.

“The shared commitment to delivering high-quality residential properties underscores the mutual dedication to meeting the growing demand for housing in the region.”

Richard Chamberlain, managing director of Wain Homes North West, said: “This has been a complex negotiation, and we are pleased to be at a point where we will shortly submit a detailed planning application for the next phase of homes, ranging from apartments to large four-bedroom family homes.

“We look forward to working closely with Black Pearl, the local authority, stakeholders and residents to create a development that enhances the overall quality of life in Blackburn.”

Cllr Marrow said: “This is fantastic news.

“This estate has been a long time in limbo.

“The delay has been a concerned to the residents.

“That it is now back on track and the long-awaited and crucial spine road will be built is great news.”

Cllr Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “As with all sites, it’s incredibly important to us to have a developer with really good local knowledge and a strong track record of delivering high quality schemes and so this new partnership between Black Pearl and Wain Homes is good news all round.

“We look forward to working closely with Black Pearl and Wain Homes on their plans for the site, including the important link road, over the coming months.''