Live music venue hours at BVSMNT LTD The Old Co-Op Warehouse, Darwen

The site and surroundings

The venue occupies the basement of a former mill in the town-centre conservation area, near commercial uses and residential areas.

“The site is located within the Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area (CA), on the outer edge of the Town Centre boundary, so defined by the Adopted Polices Map for Darwen.”

“The local area is defined as mixed, with a range of commercial and service uses in immediate proximity to the north, south and east of the site. To the west, the area transitions away from a typical town centre / edge of centre mix to residential uses.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions established the live music venue, soundproofing, extended hours, permanent use and noise limits before this application.

“10/25/0401: Removal of Condition No. 'notification of operational use commencing'; Variation of Condition No.5 'opening hours'; and variation of Condition No. 'noise limitation', pursuant to planning permission 10/23/0896 'Proposed change of use of lower ground floor from vacant mill to a Live Music Venue (Sui Generis use) and removal of a section of link building.' - to secure permanent permission; to amend opening hours to: Monday to Thursday open from 18:30 until…”

“10/23/0896: Variation of Condition No.6 "opening hours" pursuant to planning application 10/22/0758 "Proposed change of use of lower ground floor from vacant mill to a Live Music Venue (Sui Generis use) and removal of a section of link building. “- to amend opening hours to: Monday to Thursday open from 18:30 - 23:00, Friday open from 17:00- 23:00; Saturday open from 16:00 until 23:00, and Sunday/Bank Holidays open 16:00 until 22:00.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because monitoring found no significant noise breakout and considered the venue capable of operating without significant adverse noise impact.

“On the night of 28th June 2025, the Council’s Principal Public Protection Officer carried out site observations and again witnessed no significant noise breakout from the site, in the context of general background noise levels generated by the town centre and edge of town centre activities.”

“Based on the available evidence, the Council’s Public Protection consultee is satisfied that the use can operate without significant adverse noise impact on living and working conditions within the proposed hours, subject to the noise limiting condition at habitable rooms (referenced above).”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Public Protection raised no objection, citing soundproofing, monitoring, licensing safeguards and the ability to review permitted hours if nuisance arose.

“This includes reviewing the premises licence to reduce the permitted hours should it become clear that public nuisance is being caused.”

“However, the management of the premises have shown that we can work with them to address any concerns that may be raised. We can also proactively monitor disturbance using the out of hours noise team.”

Officer report

Residents’ objections

Residents reported loud music, disturbed sleep, outdoor-event noise, antisocial behaviour, taxis, smashed glasses, intimidation and concerns about safety.

“Good evening I am writing to you sat in my living room after another weekend ruined on a holy festival because of noise pollution from this establishment. Not only is my family subjected to the noise of the music of drunken patrons of the outdoor events. However the noise of the loud noises of people leaving the establishment in the early hours of the morning. This night club is far to close to a residential area to be allowed to operate.”

“I am writing as a resident of the immediate area surrounding this premises to formally object to the proposed extensions of opening hours the disturbance that this premises causes from people coming and going into the premises loudly at the weekend is unfair and wakes up residents. I live on Punstock Rd so it must be much worse for the people who live even closer. The outdoor event held on Easter Sunday was awful and so Loud and disturbed our easter holiday.”

Officer report

Speakers

No registered speaker was listed for the application.

The committee decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the report, after the officers’ recommendation was proposed and seconded.

“The officer’s recommendations were proposed by Councillor Jim Casey and seconded by Councillor Quesir Mahmood and subsequently;”

“That the planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in Section 5 of the report.”

Minutes