Frontier Park SME scheme hangs in the balance

A fresh consent is being sought for the final phase of the development by Monte Blackburn, the Issa brothers’ property vehicle, after work expanded beyond approved parameters.

Planning permission was granted at the Frontier Park site on Blackburn Road, Oswaldtwistle, for two sets of two units, defined as start-up industrial units that, being at the site’s boundary, would lessen visual impact on the neighbouring area.

Granted in February 2020, the consent on what is billed as the 3.5-acre Prospect plot allowed for up to around 15,700 sq ft of development.

As a statement for Place North West from Hyndbun Council described, “the units were staggered and there was space for landscaping between the units at Blackburn Road”.

After building work had started, council officials visited the site following requests from residents of nearby Richmond Crescent, noting, in the council’s words “that the works were not in accordance with the approved plans”.

Hyndburn’s statement continued: “A letter was sent to the agent for the application in October 2021 advising that the development is not being carried out with the benefit of planning permission and that works should cease. There is no guarantee that any new application would be granted permission.”

A further planning application had been submitted in September.

In the planning statement for this application, advisor PWA Planning said that “following occupier interest shown in the site, it has been deemed necessary to alter the scheme to provide three units in buildings that provide a larger footprint”.

This application includes two units of around 6,400 sq ft and one of 5,400 sq ft, equating to around 18,200 sq ft. Campbell Driver Partnership is the architect.

The reworked application is currently under consideration and likely to go before planning committee in February.

The 1m sq ft Frontier Park is the flagship development by Monte Blackburn, the development vehicle for the ever-acquisitive Issa brothers Mohsin and Zuber.

The Issas last week withdrew plans for an 84-acre cemetery scheme on Green Belt land close to the Froniter Park site, plans that had been recommended for refusal.

At Junction 6 of the M65, Frontier Park mostly comprises large-scale industrial development, with other uses including a Hampton by Hilton hotel and an EG Group forecourt development.