Plans submitted for Darwen market hall makeover
The Victorian market hall will be refurbished as part of a wider £100m investment into the Lancashire town.
The redevelopment of Darwen’s market is being delivered thanks to £25m of funding from the government’s Town Deal.
A planning application for the project has now been submitted. John Puttick Associates has drawn up the designs on behalf of applicant Blackburn with Darwen Council.
Having first opened in 1882, the market hall’s structural aspects, including the roof, electrics, and heating are due for an upgrade.
The market’s internal layout would be adjusted to accommodate more market stalls and F&B outlets, as well as allow improvements to be made to ground floor toilets and kitchen spaces.
Plans indicate a new arcade hall would replace the existing 1960s market annexe to improve links between Market Square and School Street.
The arcade hall would sport a barrel-vault roof, which according to a design and access statement will improve lighting in the venue while offering a “contemporary expression”.
Should permission be granted, further work on both the hall and arcade’s internal design will be undertaken following specialist advice.
A car park with lift access would replace an existing facility that is no longer fit for purpose.
A terrace facing Market Square is also proposed as a dedicated children’s play area.
The landscaping of School Street would be in the form of planting, improved lighting, cycle paths, and outdoor seating provision.
To the site’s east is Railway Road, under which an arched space with a glazed frontage hosting a commercial unit, will be constructed.
The submission of a planning application for the market project is the latest milestone for BwD’s vision of transforming Darwen. Thanks to government funding, council backing, and private sector investment, there is around £100m available for various schemes, the council said.
Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Chair of the Darwen Town Deal Board, Cllr Phil Riley, said: “This new planning application is an important next step in our plans for the town centre, with millions of pounds of funding secured for the Market Hall, the beautiful Carnegie Library and the theatre too.
“Work is also set to start on doubling the size of Darwen Youth Centre – another incredibly important project for the town, especially for our youngsters and for their futures.
“And a further planning application proposing the refurbishment and improvements to Darwen Library and Darwen Library Theatre will follow very soon.”
Cassidy + Ashton was instructed by the council to compile a planning statement for the application.
The project team also includes LK Group, Bowland Tree Consultancy, and Pennine Ecological.
To view the application, use the planning reference number 10/25/0250 on Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning portal.
This is going to be a great project which will make a big difference to the town centre .
By Wislon