£250m blueprint for Blackburn town centre

A £250m masterplan for Blackburn town centre, including the former Thwaites Brewery site, has been revealed.The blueprint is part of Blackburn with Darwen Council’s draft Local Plan proposals, which will help shape development for the next ten years and beyond.The new framework, which has been led by BDP Architects, sets out proposals for bringing forward development sites.Council chiefs are anticipating up to 500 town centre homes and 1,000 new jobs will be linked to the development of a new business district. There will be a focus to support growth in low carbon, green and renewable industries.The council and its development partner Maple Grove, part of the Eric Wright Group, will be bringing forward further details in 2022. This is to assemble sites, work up planning applications and commence work on early development phases.The authority said the concept masterplan will contribute to Blackburn’s economic recovery by providing a “clear vision” and the infrastructure required by people and businesses increasingly wanting to stay local post pandemic.It said it is actively engaging a number of potential strategic investors and businesses to explore opportunities for private sector investment and business expansion proposals.The diverse and flexible nature of the schemes could deliver new education, business and training spaces, new town centre homes, retail and leisure opportunities over the next decade. The council added this would enable it and its partners to accommodate the “widespread socio-economic changes caused by Covid-19”.