New business to bring unused and unsightly plot of land near town centre back to life
A ‘vacant, unsightly plot of land’ near Blackburn town centre has been approved to become a new car sales lot.
Ikram Bohra can now go ahead with turning the former builder’s yard in Higher Barn Street into motor sales show area.
Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted his proposal planning permission with 13 conditions.
An officer’s report said: “The application site is a former builder’s yard which lies within Blackburn, formerly utilised for storage of materials.
“The site itself is hard surfaced brownfield land, which has little or no ecological value.
“The total land area is circa 2,460 square metres.
“The site is accessed from Higher Barn Street via a single double gated opening. Higher Barn Street is a busy, one way (northbound only) classified road, close to Blackburn town centre.
“This application seeks consent for a change of use of a vacant former builders yard (presently being used for parking vehicles) into a car sales show area, incorporating customer and staff parking within the court yard of the site.
“The supporting documentation states that the majority types of vehicles displayed for sale will be small to medium size family cars.
“It is anticipated that deliveries for unloading and loading of vehicles will be once a week depending on car sales.
“Various amended plans and supporting information was submitted during the course of the assessment of the application, based on initial highway objections and re-consultations.
“The proposed change of use from a vacant former builders yard to a car showroom would have a minimal impact on the visual amenity of the area, and whilst the parked cars would be clearly visible in the street scene, the site would be in active use, and this is considered preferable to a vacant, unsightly plot of land.”
“An outcome has finally been agreed which is considered acceptable to the highways consultee.
“There are 16 parking spaces, including staff parking and motorcycle/disability spaces, and cycle spaces.
“No new access would be created, but the existing access would be widened to ensure adequate access for larger vehicles.
“Hours of opening applied for were 9am-9pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am-5pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
“The proposal will have economic and environmental / social benefits by bringing the formerly vacant site, which is located in a prominent location close to the town centre, back into active use, and this will have wider benefits for the area.”