After a lengthy appeal process, Burnley Council’s development control committee has approved a revised proposal for the development of commercial/warehouse buildings at Titanium Park, near Junction 9 of the M65. The proposal, submitted by Monte Blackburn Ltd, the property arm of EG Group, aims to create over 100 jobs and provide modern business accommodation for a range of potential occupiers.
The initial proposal was rejected by the council in June 2022 due to concerns about the height of the buildings. The development control committee over-rode planning officers’ advice and ruled that two of the units were too high, exceeding the maximum ridge height of seven metres for buildings on that part of the business park included in the Burnley Local Plan. Monte Blackburn Ltd appealed the decision to the government’s planning inspectorate, and in January last year, inspector M J Francis upheld the decision, citing the impact of the warehouses on surrounding houses.
The inspector highlighted the fact that two of the units would exceed the maximum ridge height, which would have a detrimental effect on the visual amenity of the area. However, Monte Blackburn Ltd has since revised its proposal to address the concerns raised by the planning inspectorate. The new proposal reduces the maximum ridge height of all the buildings to below seven metres, ensuring that the development is in line with the Burnley Local Plan.
The revised proposal also includes improvements to the nearby Padiham Greenway, which will benefit the local community and enhance the overall appearance of the area. The development is expected to create circa 128 full-time equivalent positions, providing a significant boost to the local economy. The proposal also includes the provision of a bus link from Burnley through the site to the southern area of Padiham, which will improve public transportation options for local residents and employees.
Despite objections from the Burnley Bridge Action Group and eight similar letters from nearby residents, the planning officer’s report recommended approval of the detailed scheme with 33 conditions. The development control committee rubber-stamped the report, approving the revised proposal. The objections raised by the Burnley Bridge Action Group and nearby residents centered around concerns about noise, disturbance, impact on utilities and drainage, traffic, and visual overshadowing.
However, the planning officer’s report concluded that the proposed development would not have a significant impact on the surrounding area and that the benefits of the proposal outweighed the potential drawbacks. The report noted that the development would provide modern business accommodation, which would be beneficial to the local economy, and that the proposed improvements to the Padiham Greenway would enhance the overall appearance of the area.
The approval of the revised proposal marks a significant milestone for the development of Titanium Park, which has been a key priority for Burnley Council. The council has been working closely with Monte Blackburn Ltd to ensure that the development meets the needs of the local community and aligns with the council’s strategic objectives.
The development is expected to be completed in the coming years, and it is anticipated that it will have a positive impact on the local economy and community. The creation of over 100 jobs will provide a significant boost to the local workforce, and the provision of modern business accommodation will attract new businesses to the area.
The development will also provide a range of benefits to the local community, including improved public transportation options, enhanced green spaces, and a more vibrant and dynamic business environment. The council has been working closely with Monte Blackburn Ltd to ensure that the development is implemented in a way that benefits the local community and aligns with the council’s strategic objectives.
In a statement, Alex Kenwright, Monte Blackburn’s development director, welcomed the decision, saying: “We are obviously delighted and can now move on to the delivery phase. We believe that this development will bring significant benefits to the local community and we look forward to working with the council and other stakeholders to bring the project to fruition.”
The approval of the revised proposal is a significant step forward for the development of Titanium Park, and it is anticipated that the development will have a positive impact on the local economy and community. The council and Monte Blackburn Ltd will continue to work closely together to ensure that the development is implemented in a way that benefits the local community and aligns with the council’s strategic objectives.