Blackburn approves ‘game-changer’ medical centre, Pets Choice warehouse

In addition to Assura’s proposals for Griffin Lodge and the Pets Choice expansion at Whitebirk Industrial Estate, Blackburn with Darwen Council also signed off Roundhouse Properties’ proposals for 68 offices off Haslingden Road.

The decisions were made at Blackburn with Darwen’s planning and highways committee meeting on 26 May.

Griffin Lodge

Now that planning permission has been secured, Assura can move forward with its plans to transform the grade two-listed Griffin Lodge into a medical centre.

Three surgeries will be merging to operate out of the 1850s building and its two-storey expansion. Witton Medical Centre, Redlam Surgery and Limefield Surgery are beyond capacity in their current sites, which are not compliant with current regulations concerning disability access.

The new Griffin Lodge facility will fix that, creating more than 21,000 sq ft of space for the doctors to operate in, including 21 consulting rooms, four treatment rooms, a reception area, staff kitchen, conference space and more. There will also be a 103-space car park with six dedicated EV charging points and 10 disabled spaces.

Dr Mark Dziobon, medical director for Blackburn with Darwen and NHS East Lancashire CCGs, called the scheme a “game-changer” for patients.

Peacock + Smith is the planning consultant for the project, which was designed by Corstorphine & Wright. The landscape architect for Griffin Lodge is TPM Landscape and the heritage consultant I Gary Miller Heritage.

Vectos, ARP and Miller Goodall were the consultants for transportation, drainage and noise respectively.

The reference numbers for Assura’s two applications for the project are 10/21/1301 and 10/21/1306.

Diagram of one of the approved buildings at Roundhouse Properties’ Momentum project. Credit: via planning documents

Land at Haslingden Road

Roundhouse Properties has planning permission to construct 12 buildings containing a total of 68 commercial units on nearly four acres of scrubland off Haslingden Road.

Aimed at small businesses and start-ups, the offices would range from 7,000 sq ft to 10,800 sq ft.

In total, there would be 54,000 sq ft of internal floorspace in the scheme – the latest in Roundhouse’s Momentum business centre brand, which has locations in Preston, Buckshaw Village and Cuerden.

The buildings, designed by Evolve Architectural Design, would be built in such a way that tenants could take multiple units and turn them into one large space if needed.

The scheme also includes a 193-space car park.

De Pol Associates is the planning consultant for the project.

The reference number for Roundhouse’s application is 10/21/0428.

Land to South East Lower Philips Road

Pets Choice now has permission to set about constructing its 120,000 sq ft warehouse at Whitebirk Industrial Estate off Lower Philips Road.

The pet food manufacturer’s new space will also have 10,000 sq ft of offices stretched out over three storeys. A 10,550 sq ft packing building currently on the 15-acre site will also become a retail unit, where wholesalers and the general public can pick up their pet food straight from the source.

According to plans submitted by PWA Planning, the project will also include the construction of a link bridge to connect the warehouse with Pets Choice’s other production facility at Whitebirk Industrial Estate.

Campbell Driver Partnership is the architect for the project, which is set to create 60 full-time jobs.

The application’s reference number is 10/21/1345.