EG’s expansion gets approved

EG on the Move is now all set to expand its presence in its hometown, with plans for a large new retail destination getting the sign off from Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The property firm Monte Blackburn Ltd, owned by Blackburn’s billionaire Issa brothers, was selected as the partner for the 1.3-acre tract of disused land off Haslingden Road, following a land swap with the council for the site of the former Thwaites Brewery on Penny Street in the town centre.

But it is Zuber Issa’s forecourt and convenience store business, EG On The Move, that has spearheaded plans for the 11,000 sqft retail space south of Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, less than a mile down the road from the brothers’ EG Group headquarters.

In this expanse of green fields next to The Observatory pub, the approved plans for the site show that the firm is set build a 4,500 sqft convenience retail store, with five smaller units attached to it that other businesses will be able to occupy.

With the upcoming shopping space sitting on one of the main routes in and out of Blackburn, not far from the ongoing M65 junction improvement scheme, their plans indicate that this new retail space will also come with 50 parking space for customers.

In addition to creating  new access point for the development, EG on the Move has stated that it will be creating a new three-metre wide dual-use pavement, that will allow both cyclists and pedestrians to better access their new site.

The main building, which will primarily sell food, and five associated units will have ‘a contemporary and inviting retail aesthetic’, the plans state, with the structure being a low-rise single storey rectangular block.

And it may not have far to look for regular customers. According to the plans: “The intended retail function will provide positive amenities for local residents, commuters, employees in the surrounding employment areas and the Royal Blackburn Hospital.”

While Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Planning and Highways Committee approved EG on the Move’s development of the land off Haslingden Road, effectively transferring the ownership of the plot, some conditions were attached to their approval.

The purpose of some of these conditions is to ensure the building works do not impact residents living near the busy route, with housing developments to the site’s south and west.

These included restricting working hours at the building site to between 8am and 6pm during the week, with permission to carry on construction on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. No works are permitted on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Further details about the development’s appearance and layout will be confirmed at a later date, with the council’s conditions stipulating that further details of their footpath alterations, a £16,500 investment in improving nearby bus stops, and other elements of the plans must be submitted for review before their requirements can be discharged.