PERMISSION has been granted for two large job-creating warehouses on ‘unsightly’ former industrial land near the M65 despite concerns from nearby Crown Paints.
Acornfield Properties Ltd can now build the commercial units off Lower Eccleshill Road on the former Darwen Paper Mill site.
When the issue was debated at Thursday’s meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne expressed concern over the traffic problems it would cause at the junction of Lower Eccleshill Road and Hollins Grove Street.
Approval was granted to developer Acornfield Properties Ltd subject to 26 conditions for two 5,000 square foot warehouses with offices.
The committee was told that Crown Paints had submitted an objection fearing the development could jeopardise any expansion of its polymer plant.
Planning manager Gavin Prescott said he understood talks to resolve the issue were under way between the two companies.
He said: “No planning application has been received from Crown Paints.
“Therefore very little if any weight can be afforded to those expansion plans.”
Darwen East’s Cllr Browne said: “I am very concerned about the impact of traffic on the junction of Lower Eccleshill Road and Hollins Grove Street.
“It’s going to be horrendous.
“Unless something is done it’s going to make a headache for us all.”
Senior highways officer Saf Alam said the council was looking at the issue with the applicant with a view to using a financial contribution of £89,230 from Acornfield to pay for junction improvements.
The company will also pay the council a second Section 106 payment of £10,000 towards appropriate offsite biodiversity net gain.
Documents submitted with the planning application say: “The proposal is for the erection of two warehouses with landscaping, hardstanding, and parking provisions. The application is speculative.
“The intention is for the site to once again become useful and provide a more visually pleasing aesthetic.
“The development will also generate employment. This brown field site is not currently in use, and is not providing any benefits to the local area.
“The site is currently in an unkempt state and is unsightly.
“A new, high quality commercial development has the potential to positively contribute to the local area.”
Mr Prescott’s report to councillors recommending approval said: “The proposal would deliver two modern industrial buildings, bringing a long standing vacant previously developed site back into active use, and economic, social and environmental benefits.”
