Historic school site could become a car park & 7 other new applications in East Lancashire this week

PenBrook - a joint venture between Pendle Borough Council and their development partner Brookhouse Group - are seeking permission to partially demolish the rear of Trafalgar House in Booth Street, Nelson, to form a public car park with 23 parking spaces, while retaining and refurbishing the front section of the building.

The building opened in 1894 and historically operated as the ‘Nelson Municipal Secondary School’ and has had various uses since, with the front of the building principally used as classrooms and a library, with the rear of the building more as a workshop/ weaving shed including 16 power looms. The college remained in use until the late 20th century and was most recently used as training and office space.

The building has been vacant for more than 10 years, and according to PenBrook, “had fallen into a very poor state of repair under private ownership”. Pendle Borough Council stepped into acquire the site and have been looking at various options around retention, demolition and redevelopment over the last five years. A planning statement says: “Accordingly, the redevelopment of the site is required as a matter of urgency to safeguard the buildings future, as otherwise it is at serious risk of collapse/ condemnation.”

It adds: “The proposed development seeks to secure the long-term future of Trafalgar House through the retention and full refurbishment of the Market Street frontage and principal historic staircase, combined with the demolition of the rear section of the building and replacement with a new car park.”

It states that the proposed redevelopment strategy “preserves the elements of highest architectural and historic significance, including the stone façade, decorative strapwork, and the surviving civic stair core, which collectively form the building’s primary contribution to the Whitefield Conservation Area; whilst removing the less prominent and more compromised rear wing to enable delivery of a new public car park which will support the future use of the building and improve accessibility within the town centre.”

The retained frontage will undergo a comprehensive programme of fabric repair, including deep cleaning, ventilation, reinstatement of a new slate roof and leadwork, restoration of exposed roof trusses, renewal of internal finishes, and installation of modern services including an air-source heat pump (ASHP). These works ensure the creation of high-quality, flexible accommodation suitable for future education, commercial or employment orientated uses.

A decision will be made in coming weeks by Pendle Borough Council.

Other applications verified this week in East Lancashire:

- Proposed lawful use of the premises as a small restaurant (Use Class E(b)) in place of the existing retail use at 238 Colne Road, Burnley.

- Proposed change of use for former vacant offices at 22-27 Richmond Terrace, Blackburn, into five residential dwellings and the retention of 27 Richmond Terrace as an office with internal and external alterations

- Change of use from general first floor storage to a self-contained apartment (C3) and installation of new shop front with security shutters (Retrospective) at 37 Mincing Lane, Blackburn.

- Conversion of 6-8 Thomas Street, Oswaldtwisle to six one- bedroom apartments, rear single storey infill extension, external alterations and the creation of two parking spaces.

- Extension to the existing office building to provide additional office space, formation of new access road into Clifton Mill and construction of new business units on under-used parking land at Clifton Mill, Pickup Street, Accrington.

- Permission in Principle for the erection of two dwellings on land to the South East Of 26 To 28 Barnwood Road, Earby.

- Change of use of a general industrial building (Use Class B2) to one dwelling at Slate Age (Fence) Ltd, Fencegate, Fence.

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