Temporary pod accommodation at Shadsworth Leisure Centre, Blackburn
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Blackburn Planning and Highways Committee on 18 Dec 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought to extend temporary accommodation for ten sleeper pods and two dining pods until 31 October 2028.
“Proposed Development: Variation of Condition No.1 (Temporary Time Period), pursuant to the development of temporary pod accommodation (10 sleeper & 2 dining pods) (10/25/0171) to extend the date for the temporary structure from 01/04/2026 to 31/10/2028”
Officer report
The site and surroundings
The site forms part of a vacant leisure centre complex, with recreational land, a part-demolished building, a car park, a school and commercial buildings nearby.
“The application site forms part of a vacant leisure centre complex, which is located within the settlement boundary of Blackburn. By majority, the leisure centre has been demolished, which was approved at Planning and Highways Committee in July 2023, under application 10/23/0445. The pods have been in…”
Officer report
Earlier permissions
The pods were approved in 2022 and 2023, with later permissions extending their temporary period; the leisure centre demolition was approved in 2023.
“10/25/0171 – Variation of Condition No 1 "temporary time period" pursuant to planning application 10/24/0753 " Temporary pod accommodation (10 sleeper & 2 dining pods) " - Extend the date for the temporary structure from 01/04/2025 to 01/04/2026 – Approved, with conditions – March 2025 (committee decision).”
Officer report
The committee decision
The committee approved the application subject to the conditions highlighted in the Director’s Report.
“Decision under Town and Country Planning Acts and Regulations –”
“RESOLVED – Approved subject to the conditions highlighted in the Director’s Report.”
Minutes
The temporary deadline
The approved development must be entirely removed on or before 31 October 2028, and must follow the approved plans and materials.
“(VARIED) This permission covers a temporary period alone and the development hereby approved shall be entirely removed on or before 31/10/2028.”
“The external materials to be used for the construction of the development hereby approved shall be as stated on the submitted application form and approved drawings.”
Officer report
Sources
- Blackburn Planning and Highways Committee minutes, 18 December 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Blackburn's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Council
- Blackburn
- Date
- Thursday 18 December 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- View application →
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This committee's year
39 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.