Retail warehouse and gym at Former Gas Works, Chorley

What was proposed

The application sought two buildings for a retail warehouse and gym, with access, parking, landscaping, cycle storage and bin storage delivered in two phases.

“Proposal: Demolition of the office building, filling of the former gas wells and erection of two buildings to be used as a retail warehouse unit (a store selling comparison goods) and gym, with associated vehicular and pedestrian access, parking and cycle and bin storage facilities, to be delivered in two phases.”

“Full planning permission is sought for the demolition of the office building, filling of the former gas wells and erection of two buildings to be used as a retail warehouse unit (a store selling comparison goods) and gym, with associated vehicular and pedestrian access, parking and cycle and bin storage facilities, to be delivered in two phases.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a former gas works on Bengal Street within Chorley’s settlement boundary, mainly hardstanding, with an office building and former gas-holder wells.

“The application site is a former gas works site, falling under the sui-generis use class, located on the eastern side of the A6 (Bengal Street), within the defined settlement boundary of Chorley Town Centre, but outside of the primary shopping area. The site is currently accessed to the north from a side road off the A6, called Decca Street.”

“The site mainly consists of hardstanding, although there is an office building on the site and two circular wells where the gas holders were previously located. The A6 is located to the west, beyond a vehicle repair building and a gas works building which lies outside the site boundary as is being retained. A railway line is located to the east, commercial uses to the north and the former Council depot is located to the south.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

The gas holders were demolished after prior approval in 2018, while the site’s lawful use remains a gas works because car storage had no planning permission.

“The demolition of the gas holders at the site took place following the granting of prior approval application ref. 18/00883/DEMCON in October 2018. Whilst the site appeared to be in use at the time of the case officer site visit in January 2025 for car storage / sales, as no planning permission exists for this, the lawful use of the site remains as a gas works (sui generis).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would improve a prominent brownfield site, create employment, remediate likely contamination and was acceptable on technical matters.

“Whilst the proposal conflicts with the proposed allocation of this site in the submitted CLLP for employment use, this can only be attributed limited weight in the planning balance. The proposal would improve the appearance of a key brownfield site in a prominent sustainable location. It would deliver a level of employment jobs during construction and when operational and would remediate the site, which is likely to be contaminated.”

“It is recommended that the application is approved, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke to the committee as the public speaker.

The committee vote

Councillors unanimously approved the application, subject to conditions, following a proposal and seconder.

“After careful consideration, it was proposed by Councillor Adrian Lowe, seconded by Councillor Chris Snow, and subsequently resolved unanimously that the application be approved, subject to conditions.”

Minutes