A FORMER church site with permission to knock down existing buildings and construct new homes will go under the hammer.

The former St Chad’s church in Pleckgate Road, Blackburn, will be sold off by Pugh Auctions in Manchester later this month.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planners recently granted permission for developers to demolish the 19th century church buildings and put six semi-detached homes in its place.

Neighbours were consulted over the plans and five objections were received.

People living nearby raised concerns about the loss of the building, as well as the need to cut down trees to make way for the new homes.

Other complaints about loss of privacy, inappropriate design and more congestion on the roads were also lodged.

But despite concerns, officers granted the application using delegated powers.

The site will be sold off at auction held at Salford’s AJ Bell stadium on February 25 and is listed at a guide price of £375,000.

Case officer Nick Blackledge said: “A heritage impact assessment was submitted with the application, taking into account the heritage value of the buildings proposed to be demolished.

“Although they are not listed or within a Conservation Area, their heritage value has been appropriately recognised through submission of a heritage statement.

“No objection is offered by the council’s conservation consultee, in view of the public benefit arising from redeveloping the site, considered in the context of the demonstrable failure to find alternative viable uses for the buildings and the contribution towards the council’s housing delivery targets.”

A spokesman for Liverpool-based HBM Ashton Ltd, acting as agent for Adam Country Homes Ltd, said: “We understand and respect the importance to retain as much of the character and history of the buildings in the neighbourhood and to prevent radical change whilst also providing a property with architectural merit in sympathy with the wider community in accordance with planning guidance.

“It is not financially viable in this economic climate to allow land to remain derelict and unused.

“Allowing a lesser density of dwellings on the proposed site would be risking erecting buildings which are not affordable for first time buyers or meet the needs of the local market.

“It’s clear that through market research local to the site that there is a need for more compact, smaller dwellings that implement the land and enhance the local area.

“We consider the proposed stand-alone mixed three and five bed semi-detached dwelling development endeavours to meet planning policy and needs of the local community.”