Worship centre access changes at Masjid E Vali, Preston New Road, Blackburn
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Blackburn Planning and Highways Committee on 18 Dec 2025.
What was proposed
The application sought retrospective changes to access arrangements and car parking, including amended drawings and removal of an access condition.
“Proposed development: Variation of Condition / Minor Material Amendment for Variation of Condition No.2 "approved drawings" and removal of Condition No. "construction details of Preston New Road site access" pursuant to planning application 10/20/1048 "Demolition of School Building and Erection of New Place of Worship and Community Centre" - to regularise Preston New Road access, improvements to the Billinge End Road access, and modifications to the car parking…”
Officer report
The site
The 9,165-square-metre site is on Preston New Road at its junction with Billinge End Road and was previously occupied by a relocated school.
“The application site (the site) measures 9165 sqm. It is located on Preston New Road, at its junction with Billinge End Road, Blackburn and was previously occupied by Westholme Infant and First School, prior to them relocating.”
Officer report
Earlier permission
An earlier permission approved demolition of the school buildings and construction of a place of worship and community centre with parking, landscaping and highway access works.
“Planning permission granted under LPA reference 10/20/1048 was issued on 19 th March 2021 for the “Demolition of school buildings and erection of new place of worship and community centre, including associated car parking landscaping, gates to existing points of access from the public highway and widening of vehicular access.”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because the amendments were acceptable and remained consistent with the Local Plan and national planning policy.
“Members are recommended to approve this application, detailed assessment of which finds the proposed amendments to be acceptable.”
“The proposal remains consistent with the objectives of the Local Plan 2021 – 2037, and the National Planning Policy Framework (The Framework).”
Officer report
Access and parking changes
The Preston New Road access was supported by highways, while the Billinge End Road access was improved and restricted to 19 parking bays.
“Access arrangements have been submitted with this application in advance of the condition being discharged. The Council’s Highways consultee is supportive of the access and is in agreement that the condition is no longer applicable, as the access arrangements are discharged under this application. Details are shown below (Archi-Structure, May 2024):”
“Members are advised that the Billinge End Road access will remain as a secondary access to the primary access at Preston New Road. It will serve only for vehicles access / egressing the section of car park adjacent to Billinge End Road, comprising 19 bays. Users of the remaining bays will be unable to use the access due to the provision of a gabion barrier within the car park. The revised access and confirmation of the gabion barrier is shown below.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Highways raised no objection, and no comments were received from the public consultation or ward councillors.
“Consultation was limited to public consultation by means of display of site notices and a press notice published 9 th October 2025, and to Ward Councillors. No comments were received.”
Officer report
The committee decision
On 18 December 2025, the committee approved the application subject to the conditions highlighted in the director’s report.
“RESOLVED – Approved subject to the conditions highlighted in the Director’s Report.”
Minutes
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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- Council
- Blackburn
- Date
- Thursday 18 December 2025
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
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This committee's year
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Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.