URL: https://democracy.blackburn.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1347

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED   (1)  That it be noted that the proposed roundabout on Whalley Old Road, Blackburn, as illustrated on the plan, and attached as Annex A to the report, was required to provide a new entrance to the housing site off Whalley Old Road (currently under construction by Bovis Homes) and to the North East Blackburn Strategic Housing Site, an allocated site in the Blackburn with Darwen Local Plan (2021-2037).   (2)  That the total project budget of £2,000,000 to cover construction, fees, surveys and contingency be approved and that it be noted that this included £201,000 costs incurred to date.   (3)  That it be noted that the Council had £1,500,000 allocated funding within the capital programme, with an additional £119,200 funding approved by Executive Board at Quarter 3 in February 2026, provided by Bovis Homes under a Section 106 Agreement. The funding provided by Bovis Homes was equivalent to the cost of the entrance works which were omitted from their scheme to prevent abortive work due to the proposed roundabout works now providing a combined entrance for the two sites.   (4)  That the addition of a further £130,800 to the capital budget funded by Section 106 contributions be approved.   (5)  That the reallocation of £250,000 capital funding from the North East Blackburn capital budget which had in excess of £550,000 of funds available as of March 2026 following the Executive Board, at its February 2024 meeting, which approved a capital allocation of £1,000,000 in total across the financial years 2024/25, 2025/26 and 2026/27 to bring forward the North East Blackburn Strategic Housing Site to cover all pre-development work including masterplanning, surveys, site investigations and any other design or site enabling infrastructure, be approved.   (6)  That, following a competitive tender process, the appointment of George Cox & Sons Ltd as preferred bidder for the highway works be approved.   (7)  That the Growth Programme Director, in liaison with the Deputy Director of Legal and Governance, be authorised to finalise the contract terms for the appointment of the preferred bidder.   (8)  That it be noted that the contractor would commence mobilisation in May 2026 following confirmation of appointment with works planned to commence over the summer with a 7 month construction programme with all works aimed for completion by December 2026.   (9)  That it be noted that a proportion of the Council funding required to construct the new roundabout would eventually be recovered from the developer for the North East Blackburn Strategic Housing Site and reinforced in the infrastructure delivery strategy/masterplan. The proportion would be in the region of 55% and would be recovered from the lead developer with the details agreed with the co-landowners in the Collaboration Agreement. The Collaboration Agreement was a legal agreement between all landowners (including the Council) which set out estimates of pre-development cost, funding and obligations. The final terms of the Collaboration Agreement would be presented to the Executive Board later this year.      

Date of Decision: April 9, 2026