Exciting plans for employment and education are on the way to Lower Darwen
Development of land for employment will transform a vacant site near junction 4 of the M65 at Greenbank Terrace, and will be known as Mill Bank Business Park with the creation of new employment space for manufacturing, distribution or light industrial use.
The development is also bringing forward a new Qdos Careers Hub which is being promoted nationally by Manor Property Group, with discussions progressing with the Council and key stakeholders to develop the detailed scheme.
Demolition of the old, disused office buildings on the site has taken place and hoardings are now up at the site.
An outline planning application has been submitted by developers Barnfield Blackburn Ltd and will go to the Council’s Planning Committee in the spring. More detailed applications are then expected to follow in the summer.
Plans for the £5m. educational asset will include 10 jobs and opportunities to link up with industries across the world as part of a new way of learning.
In addition, the developers are seeking planning permission for a small residential site off Milking Lane which will complete the development.
The development is being carried out in partnership between Barnfield Construction and lackburn with Darwen Council and site works have already commenced with the demolition of the former derelict office buildings which had blighted the site for over 10 years.
Tracy Clavell-Bate, Head of Development and Acquisition at Barnfield Construction, said: “The commercial development will be for different uses with units available from 15,000 sq ft. This is an ideal opportunity for companies looking to expand into or within the borough. It is a prime location immediately off Junction 4 of the M65 with local amenities close by and access for employees and visitors.
“We are already talking to a number of interested parties who are within the borough looking for new premises which, at such an early stage is great.”
Councillor Phil Riley, The Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Getting this site to this point has been a very serious piece of work by Council officers and our partners, and we are delighted to see it coming alive and start to develop.”
The developer has appointed Taylor Weaver and Trevor Dawson as the marketing agents for the scheme and should be contacted for any initial enquiries about Mill Bank Business Park.
