AFFORDABLE homes at a new housing estate in Oswaldtwistle will be taken on by Sage Housing.

Last year, Persimmon Homes was granted planning permission by Hyndburn Council after applying to build 69 new homes on land off Thwaites Road near to White Ash Primary School.

One of the conditions included in the Section 106 agreement between Persimmon and Hyndburn Council was for 20 per cent of the total number of homes to be provided across the development site to be affordable housing, provided for sale at a discount to open market value to eligible people, or for sale to a registered provider, who will rent out the units to a registered occupier at an affordable rent.

As part of the development, there will be three two-bed and 11 three-bed homes available under social renting.

Now Persimmon bosses have informed Hyndburn Council planners that Sage Housing is acquiring the affordable homes and will offer them for rent.

Sage is a Registered Provider of affordable homes operating across England, established in May 2017.

The firm lets rented homes to those who have been identified as being in housing need and have been placed on a local authority’s housing register.

Prior to striking a deal with Sage for the affordable homes on site, Persimmon bosses had said they were proposing to approach a number of providers.

Among those on the long list for consideration were Places for People, Community Gateway, Great Places, Impact Housing Association, Riverside and Sage.

The land was formerly a greenfield site and used for grazing location for ponies in the area.

The site is adjacent to the White Ash Brook Greenway public footpath which has been incorporated into proposals.

A new ‘safer’ footpath for walkers and cyclists using it will also be added, which will be open into the woodland.

Developer Persimmon Homes have christened the estate of two, three and four bedroom houses 'The Shires'.

The total investment in the estate runs into millions of pounds including £116,000 towards new sports pitches in Knuzden or Rhyddings park.

Fourteen objections were made against the development over environmental parking and traffic fears before the scheme was approved by Hyndburn Borough Planning Committee in September.