THE Coal Authority is investigating the sudden appearance of a hole blamed on an old mineshaft on the site of a controversial housing development.
The statutory body's move has been welcomed by local councillors concerned about the safety of the planned 343 houses being built on Baileys Field in Darwen by Altham-based McDermott homes.
West Pennine ward Conservative Cllr Julie Slater alerted it to the ground collapse on March 5 and said she was 'very pleased' at the investigation.
Darwen East Liberal Democrat Cllr Roy Davies, who first warned of the mineshaft problem in March 2018, said it was 'good news'.
Cllr Phil Riley, growth boss for Blackburn with Darwen Council which granted planning permission for the scheme near the new Ellison Fold Way, said: "We will do whatever we are instructed by the authority to make sure the development is safe."