First Homes agreement change at Land at Holden Fold, Darwen
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Blackburn Planning and Highways Committee on 18 Dec 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought to remove the First Homes requirement from the legal agreement for an approved 477-home development.
“Proposed development: Variation of Section 106 Legal Agreement dated 21st December 2023 pursuant to planning application 10/23/0587 - "Erection of 477 residential dwellings with public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage systems (SuDs), demolition of existing stable buildings, new parking associated with the sports pavilion, additional parking off Knowle Lane, and vehicular access points off Holden Fold, Moor Lane and Roman Road" - to remove Schedule 6 relating to…”
Officer report
The site
The 18.5-hectare site lies at Darwen’s northern edge and includes agricultural fields and the former Darwen Moorland High School site.
“The application site to which this DoV relates comprises 18.5 hectares (45 acres). It is located at the northern edge of Darwen and is made up of pastoral agricultural fields and the site of the former Darwen Moorland High School - previously developed land.”
“The northern edge of the site is bounded by open fields; the southern boundary by Holden Fold; the eastern boundary Roman Road; and the western boundary Knowle Lane.”
Officer report
Earlier permission
The earlier permission approved 477 homes, open space, landscaping, drainage, demolition, parking and several vehicle access points.
“This application is reported to Members as it relates to a Deed of Variation (DoV) to a Section 106 Agreement (s106), attached to a grant of planning permission determined by Planning & Highways Committee on 16 th November 2023 – LPA reference 10/23/0587. Determination of this application is in accordance with the Council’s adopted Scheme of Delegation.”
“Application 10/23/0587 relates to a full planning permission for Erection of 477 residential dwellings with public open space, landscaping, sustainable drainage systems (SuDs), demolition of existing stable buildings, new parking associated with the sports pavilion, additional parking off Knowle Lane, and vehicular access points off Holden Fold, Moor Lane and Roman Road.”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because removing the requirement would let Together Housing access Homes England grant funding for affordable homes.
“As referenced above, removal of Schedule 6 of the s106 will enable the affordable homes provider, Together Housing, to access Homes England grant funding for the affordable homes element of the housing development.”
“The Council’s Head of Housing is supportive of the proposal.”
Officer report
Consultation
The Head of Housing had no objection, and no ward councillor comments were received.
“As a DoV, there is no statutory duty to publicly consult. Ward Councillors have been consulted. No comments were received.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee approved the variation subject to the conditions highlighted in the Director’s Report.
“Decision under Town and Country Planning Acts and Regulations –”
“RESOLVED – Approved subject to the conditions highlighted in the Director’s Report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Blackburn Planning and Highways Committee minutes, 18 December 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Blackburn's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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- Council
- Blackburn
- Date
- Thursday 18 December 2025
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
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This committee's year
39 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.