Recently, work has begun on a controversial waste-polluted site on the border of Blackburn.<\/p>\n
At least 160,000 tonnes of primarily illegally dumped rubbish has been spoiling the land at Lower Whitehalgh Farm in Feniscowles.<\/p>\n
The new owners, Black Pearl Homes, who purchased the land back in November last year are planning developments on the site. The land was formerly considered for the development of a holiday village and a golf course, or housing.<\/p>\n
It has been announced that remediation process has begun on the 112-acre site which has been commended by senior councillors and Blackburn MP Kate Hollern.<\/p>\n
Black Pearl Homes have ditched a much-delayed arrangement for the construction of a holiday village consisting of 94 log cabins. The \u00a313 million scheme was proposed by the previous owners of the land Castleland Ltd.<\/p>\n
Councillor Phil Riley, regeneration boss of Blackburn with Darwen Borough and Blackburn MP Kate Hollern are thrilled with the progress being made clearing the site.<\/p>\n
Kate Hollern said: \u201cI was absolutely delighted to visit the site and meet with those carrying out these remediation works. \u201cLocal residents have endured this blight for far too long.”<\/p>\n
Livesey with Pleasington Tory councillor Derek Hardman previously claimed that allowing the Black pearl to construct residential properties would be a \u201cbetrayal\u201d by the council as they made promises to the local community homes would not be built on the land.<\/p>\n
Councillor Derek Harman announced:\u201d I am pleased remediation has finally started but building homes would be betrayal of the local people.\u201d \u201cThe council has always promised this land would not be used for housing.\u201d<\/p>\n
For over two decades the site between the M65 and Brokenstone Road has been used for waste dumping. Back in 2000 a skip company were illegally dumping thousands of tonnes of rubbish on the site. This came after the farm\u2019s owners had also piled up mounds of debris on the land.<\/p>\n
The Director of the skip company and the owners of the farm received a fine for environmental offences and were also ordered to clear the waste however they never did.<\/p>\n
David Frohnsdorff, the manager of site development at Black Pearl Homes said: \u201cremediation work has started\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is at least 160,000 tonnes of waste which will be treated and kept mainly on the site in sealed and secure surroundings.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will take about 18 months to complete. We do not feel the leisure Village plan is viable and propose a residential development.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe would be looking at a minimum of the 100 properties in the previous planning application about 30 acres of the site\u201d<\/p>\n
Councillor Phil Riley added: \u201cWe are absolutely delighted remediation work has started. It\u2019s an enormous task.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is clear that Pleasington Lakes leisure village scheme was never viable. There is a considerable cost involved and the developer will have to recover that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is eventually developed on this land will be a matter for the planning process.\u201d<\/p>\n
Conservative regeneration spokesman, Councillor Derek Harman announced:\u201d I am pleased remediation has finally started but building homes would be betrayal of the local people.\u201d \u201cThe council has always promised this land would not be used for housing.\u201d<\/p>\n