THE transformation of a skatepark into an Olympic-level sports village is set for take off. Proposals for its extension with top-class training facilities for skateboarders and BMX riders are set for approval by councillors. They include a street skate plaza, dirt jump and pump track, and a BMX course. The new ‘Street Skatepark’ would developed round the car park at Darwen’s Junction 4 Skatepark. Blackburn with Darwen Council s Planning Committee is recommended to approve the urban sports village on Thursday night despite two objections from nearby residents It is one of three early projects which secured a share of a £750,000 government grant from the Darwen Town Deal.
The development site of Whalley Old Road COUNCILLORS will next week take a second look at a controversial housing development where planning permission was revoked just hours after they granted it. Last month they approved the scheme for 165 houses south of Whalley Old Road in Sunny Bower, Blackburn, after town hall officers and Labour councillors dismissed complaints by residents spokesman Stephen Atherton and Conservative members they should have been provided with a special report on mineral deposits below the land. The following day the decision was suspended after legal checks confirmed the document was required. Now the Mineral Resources Assessment has been compiled and will be submitted with the application for Blackburn with Darwen Council Planning Committee to consider a second time on Thursday.
MAJOR repair and restoration works to Darwen Tower are now set to go ahead subject to the government s final approval.
Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Planning Committee last night voted unanimously to grant the permission needed to be able to carry out the work on the Grade II listed building. The restoration work will improve the observation decks at the top of the tower, repoint of the building with lime and mortar, repair stonework, re-glaze windows, instal new handrails, and replace rainwater pipes. The approval was give after Darwen West s Cllr Brian Taylor attended the online meeting to urge fellow councillors to support the improvements to the iconic landmark and preserve it for future generations to enjoy .
Councillors have agreed to take enforcement action against 16th Street in Shear Brow Blackburn. It was given approval to open in 2017 as a sandwich or coffee shop but has been operating as a hot food takeaway which requires a different planning permission. People living nearby say the unauthorised takeaway business is adding to local litter problems making their lives a misery. On Thursday night Blackburn with Darwen Council Planning Committee unanimously agreed to take enforcement action . This consists of ordering the business to stop takeaway operations until a new planning application is submitted. Failure to do so could lead to prosecution, a fine or a closure order.