Monte Blackburn Ltd, the property arm of EG Group founders Mohsin and Zuber Issa’s business empire, has submitted a revised proposal for a commercial/warehouse development on nine acres of land at Titanium Park near Junction 9 of the M65. The new application aims to address the concerns raised by Burnley Council’s development control committee, which rejected the initial plan in June 2022.
The initial proposal, which was rejected by the council, included three units with a maximum ridge height of over seven metres. However, the council’s planning officers recommended approval, citing the benefits of the development, including the creation of over 100 jobs and the provision of 9,940 square meters of new employment space. The proposal was met with opposition from the Burnley Bridge Action Group, led by Clare Hales, chair of the group, who argued that the development would have a negative impact on the surrounding area.
Despite the rejection, Monte Blackburn Ltd appealed the decision to the government’s planning inspectorate. In January 2023, inspector M J Francis upheld the council’s decision, citing the impact of the warehouses on surrounding houses. The inspector highlighted that two of the units would exceed the maximum ridge height of seven metres for buildings on that part of the business park included in the Burnley Local Plan. The Burnley Bridge Action Group welcomed the appeal result, seeing it as a victory for the local community.
However, Monte Blackburn Ltd has now submitted a revised application, reducing the maximum ridge height of all buildings to below seven metres. The new proposal also includes improvements to the nearby Padiham Greenway, which is a popular walking and cycling route that connects the town of Padiham to the surrounding countryside. The revised application is expected to be considered by Burnley Council’s development control committee on Thursday night.
A planning officer’s report recommends approval of the detailed scheme with 33 conditions. The report highlights the benefits of the proposal, including the delivery of modern units capable of providing business accommodation for a range of potential occupiers and the creation of over 100 full-time equivalent positions. The report also notes that the proposed development would contribute to the council’s identified employment land supply and support the local economy.
However, the Burnley Bridge Action Group and nearby residents have objected to the proposal, citing concerns about noise, disturbance, impact on utilities and drainage, traffic, and visual overshadowing. The group has also raised concerns about the potential impact on the local environment and the character of the area. The objectors argue that the development would have a negative impact on the quality of life for local residents and would not be in line with the council’s planning policies.
The planning officer’s report acknowledges the concerns raised by the objectors but notes that the proposed development would deliver significant benefits to the local economy and provide new employment opportunities within the borough. The report also highlights that the application site forms the northern part of Burnley Bridge Business Park, which is now fully developed, and that the proposed development would contribute to the council’s identified employment land supply.
The revised proposal has sparked a renewed debate about the future of the Titanium Park site and the potential benefits and drawbacks of the development. The decision by the development control committee on Thursday night will have significant implications for the local community and the economy. The council’s decision will be based on a careful consideration of the planning officer’s report, the revised application, and the concerns raised by objectors.
Stakeholders, including local residents, businesses, and community groups, are encouraged to attend the meeting and voice their opinions on the proposal. The council’s decision will be based on a careful consideration of the planning officer’s report, the revised application, and the concerns raised by objectors. The decision will also have implications for the future development of the Titanium Park site and the surrounding area.
The Burnley Bridge Action Group has called on the council to reject the proposal, citing concerns about the impact on the local environment and the character of the area. The group has also raised concerns about the potential impact on local residents, including noise, disturbance, and visual overshadowing. The group has also argued that the development would not be in line with the council’s planning policies and would not provide the benefits claimed by the developer.
On the other hand, the developer has argued that the proposed development would bring significant benefits to the local economy and provide new employment opportunities within the borough. The developer has also argued that the revised proposal addresses the concerns raised by the council and the objectors, including the reduction in the maximum ridge height of the buildings and the inclusion of improvements to the nearby Padiham Greenway.
The decision by the development control committee on Thursday night will be a significant one for the local community and the economy. The council’s decision will be based on a careful consideration of the planning officer’s report, the revised application, and the concerns raised by objectors. The decision will also have implications for the future development of the Titanium Park site and the surrounding area.
Ultimately, the success of the proposal will depend on the council’s ability to balance the competing interests and concerns of the local community with the need to support economic growth and job creation. The decision will also have implications for the future development of the Titanium Park site and the surrounding area. The council’s decision will be a significant one for the local community and the economy, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend the meeting and voice their opinions on the proposal.