More brewery stables flats planned in Blackburn town centre

More flats are on the way for the stables of the former Thwaites Brewery in Blackburn town centre.

In May Nazia Shah, of the Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd, was granted planning permission to convert the estate manager’s offices in block use to house its dray horses into seven self-contained flats for young, single professionals.

Now she has submitted a new application on behalf of an unnamed client for eight self-contained flats in the same building.

If the proposal is approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council there would be six two-bedroomed apartments and two more with one bedroom each.

A supporting statement submitted with the application says: “The application site relates to the former Thwaites buildings located adjacent to the former stable block which formed part of the brewery site.

“Following demolition of the former brewery, a small number of buildings associated with Thwaites remained including the Stables.

“Much of the site has been converted to residential and the applicant now seeks to put the under-utilised remaining sections of the building to residential use.

“The site is characterised by an enclosed courtyard (formerly the stables associated with Thwaites Brewery) known as Eanam Mews.

“It comprises a two-storey brick frontage which includes a round headed doorway and adjacent gatehouse.

“To the rear, the single-storey buildings built on a curve date from 1881 and were designed as a coach house, harness room and stables.

“Consent is sought for the conversion of the first floor of the building in to eight self-contained flats.

“The proposed dwelling mix would comprise six two-bed and two one-bed units.

“The applicant seeks to put the vacant first floor floor space to effective use through a high-quality conversion to flats.

“The proposal will make a positive contribution towards local housing land supply in times of chronic under supply of homes nationally.

“Local and national planning policy seek additional homes through the conversion of buildings or ‘brownfield’ sites and the proposal would be supportive of this aspiration.

“The site is located in a sustainable location within walking distance of shops and services.

“The granting of consent recently for the conversion of another section of the same building to flats confirms the site’s suitability for residential conversion.

“Some limited external modifications are required to enable the conversion, namely the insertion of new fenestration, the bulk of which is to be along the rear of the building.”