Supermarket changes approved in Darwen

Changes to Lidl’s delayed new supermarket in Darwen have been approved by councillors.

The scheme to be built on the site of the former Belgrave Mill in Bolton Road was originally approved in September 2024.

It will replace the existing store in Duckworth Street, which Lidl said had become “constrained” and sometimes overcrowded.

But so far construction of the new development has not started.

The alterations to the new store were approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee on Thursday night.

The variations – including a slight increase in floor area, the loss of six parking spaces and moving the main entrance doors and lobby – are to update the approved development to Lidl’s most recent store specification.

Questioned by Conservative planning spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow on whether the store would now be built and if so when it would be complete, council planning manager Gavin Prescott said he was confident it would go ahead.

He said: “It has been delayed by a land issue.

“As all the other conditions have been discharged and Lidl has applied for this variation this suggests it will be completed.

“There is no timescale for that at the moment.”

Mr Prescott said: “Construction of the development is yet to commence.

“Members are recommended to approve this application.

“The proposed amendments are minor in context and acceptable.

“The application site relates to a parcel of vacant land accessed from Wraith Street to the west of the A666, on the edge of Darwen town centre.

“It is previously developed land (brownfield).

“The site currently benefits from two points of access, from Belgrave Road to the north-west and one from Wraith Street to the south.

“The location of the customer lobby entrance door has also been rotated, with minor alterations to the footprint of the building.

“Six car parking spaces will be lost following the slight increase in footprint of store building increasing its gross internal area from 2,174sq m to 2,203sqm with minor alterations to internal floorspace areas, including a reduction in sales area of 65sqm from 1,457sqm to 1,392sqm.

“Increased floor area would provide for additional warehouse space and a ‘Deposit Return Scheme’ where shoppers can return plastic and aluminium drinks containers for recycling.

“The store would be positioned approximately one metre closer to Belgrave Chapel, to the north.

“The setting of the adjacent Belgrave Chapel would remain appropriately preserved.”

Committee chairman and local Darwen West ward councillor Dave Smith said: “These are very minor alterations.”

Lidl has been approached for comment.