Dental and commercial units, homes at Vacant land adjacent to former St John Vianney Rc Church Livesey Branch Road Livesey Blackburn
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Blackburn Planning and Highways Committee on 28 May 2026.
What was proposed
The application sought outline permission for a dental surgery, another Class E unit, two flats and four dwellings, with appearance, landscaping and scale reserved.
“Proposed development: Outline Planning Application for: Outline planning permission including Access and Layout for development of 1no. Dental Surgery and 1no. commercial / business / service unit (Use Class E) with 2no. flats above, and 4no. dwellings. All other matters to be reserved.”
Officer report
The site
The vacant site is urban grassland with mature trees, hedgerows and stone walls, surrounded by a church, housing and a road.
“The site formerly hosted a Presbytery linked to the adjacent St. Thomas Syro Malabar Church (formerly St John Vianney). It is now vacant is characterised as urban grassland with mature trees, bounded stone walling and hedgerows.”
“The site represents an infill opportunity surrounded by the church, housing and Livesey Branch Road. The area is residential in character.”
Officer report
Earlier applications
Earlier applications concerned a 41-bed care home, including one appeal that was allowed and a later time extension that was approved.
“10/12/0161: Extension to time of application 10/08/0088 for Proposed 41 bed care home for older people. Approved 08/05/2012.”
“10/08/0088: Application or 41 no. bed care home for older people. Application refused 29/04/2008. Appeal allowed 13/02/2009.”
Officer report
Officers’ recommendation
Officers recommended approval because the proposal would redevelop an infill urban site, provide housing and commercial uses, and meet planning requirements subject to conditions.
“The proposal is in the form of a minor, outline planning application at a site in private ownership. The application is reported to Committee due to the receipt of 5 objections and at the request of the Chair. Determination of the application is in accordance with the Council’s adopted Scheme of Delegation.”
“Support for the application would secure permission for the redevelopment of an infill, partial brownfield site within the urban area for a mix of 6 homes and 2 commercial units, including a much in demand NHS dental surgery.”
Officer report
The committee’s decision
The committee approved the application subject to the conditions highlighted in the Directors Report.
“Decision under the Town and Country Planning Acts and Regulations –”
“Approved subject to the conditions highlighted in the Directors Report.”
Minutes
Sources
- Blackburn Planning and Highways Committee minutes, 28 May 2026
- 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 28 May 2026
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
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- Blackburn committee decisions →
This committee's year
57 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.