Blackburn car showroom plan for paper mill site set for approval

The Hippo Motor Group wants to build the 660 square metre complex on the Millbank Business Park in Lower Darwen.

The firm – based in Trident Way, Whitebirk – bought the land with outline planning permission in July 2022 from Barnfield Blackburn.

This is the joint venture company between Barnfield Developments and Blackburn with Darwen Council, created to develop the former paper mill site just off M65 junction 4 which had been vacant and an eyesore for several years.

Now the project will be debated at Blackburn with Darwen Council planning and highways committee on Thursday night.

The application being debated is a revised version of one previously approved including the addition of a large car showroom.

A report by planning officer Tom Wiggans recommends approval with 21 conditions, despite an objection from a nearby resident about the size of the development, its appearance, potential noise nuisance and likely traffic problems.

The report says: “The main difference between this new full application for Plot 4 and the previous approval is the proposed vehicle showroom use, which requires planning permission in its own right.

“Differences to the previously approved scheme include a change to the large open internal layout to accommodate a showroom and customer sales area etc, and a considerable reduction in the overall internal floorspace from 3,251sqm to 660sqm (ground floor), with an additional mezzanine floor space (staff facilities) of 325sqm.

“There would also be a flat roof canopy on stilts, and a total of 321 fenced vehicle display spaces.

“Essentially the proposal reflects the size, scale, design and appearance of other buildings in the area, and would meet the functional needs of a vehicle showroom.

“Assessment of this planning application finds the proposal will deliver a high quality scheme that will assist in meeting the council’s strategic aims and objectives, including economic growth, and regeneration benefits.

“The scale would be relative to its proposed use.

“The appearance of would be broadly similar to the three other units that have recently approved, noting it has been designed to be functional for its use as a car showroom.

“The building would have a modern appearance, using high quality contemporary metal faced cladding materials in black and silver in varying arrangements, which would help break up the massing of the building.”

In 2019 the firm spent more than £4 million on expanding it Trident Way complex with a new hi-tech vehicle preparation centre.