Market hall refurbishment at Darwen Town & Market Hall, Darwen

“Proposed Development: Refurbishment of the existing market hall to provide retail, food and beverage hall (sui generis) alongside provision of a new arcade and multi-storey car park with solar panels following demolition of the existing car park and annex structures, demolition of kiosk on Croft Street, ancillary works include landscape improvements to Market Square, new ramp access and plant area and the refurbishment and extension of the arched space below Railway Road to…”

“The application site is a town and market hall building, multistorey carpark and associated grounds, which is located within Darwen Town Centre and the Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area. The associated grounds form part of an area of allocated Open Space (Darwen Market Square). A number of listed buildings are positioned nearby with Darwen Library Theatre, The Old Chapel and St Peter’s Church being the closest.”

“Darwen Town & Market Hall is an ornate stone building with a roof constructed from both slate and glazed panels. It was constructed in 1881-2 by Charles Bell and is an interesting example of combined uses with the municipal element subservient to the market element. The building is, two storeys of Italianate style, featuring a central bay with a large arched entrance, paired pilasters to the upper floor and gabled top.”

“10/25/0256 – Removal of mature Elm tree in Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area – Approved – March 2025. ➢ 10/16/0438 – Installation of 5 commercial Victorian awnings to the shops on the front of Darwen Market Hall – Approved, with conditions – July 2016. ➢ 10/09/0448 – New shop fronts, new windows to first floor and new staff entrance door to replace existing aluminium door – Approved, with conditions – June 2009.”

“10/06/0492 – Proposed creation of a public square, resurfacing, drainage, bus stops, lighting and artwork – Approved, with conditions – July 2006.”

“Subject to appropriate conditions, the proposed developments would be acceptable on all the relevant planning grounds, in accordance with the policies detailed in Section 3.4.”

“Section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires applications to be determined in accordance with the development plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.”

“(Contamination) I refer to the report entitled ‘Darwen Market and Town Hall, Phase 1 Preliminary Risk Assessment, October 2024’. The report has been prepared by the LK Group on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen BC. I also refer to the report entitled ‘Darwen Market and Town Hall, Phase 2 Geo- Environmental Investigation, Risk Assessment and Remediation Strategy, March 2025’. This report has also been prepared by the LK Group on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen BC.”

“BwD Highways – In summary, in principle would have no objections, subject to the above matters being satisfactorily addressed.”

“Decision under Town and Country Planning Acts and Regulations –”

“RESOLVED – Approved subject to the conditions highlighted in the Director’s Report.”