Sporting rebirth plotted for Darwen shed

A 20,000 sq ft unit at Tower Road Business Park is in line for a fitness-led makeover, zeroing in on twin fitness trends padel and Hyrox.

Plans have now been lodged with Blackburn with Darwen Council for a change of use at the site, from B2/B8 to indoor sports. Urban Future is the planning consultant, with Irasia Designs also on board.

Place understands that a deal is in place with landlord EP Properties to rent the unit, last used for logistics purposes, should the change in direction be given the all-clear by BwD.

Conversions from industrial use to padel in particular have become a common occurrence throughout the region and beyond – the relative cost of conversion, combined with suitable unit heights and parking provision proving a popular mix.

Despite the explosion on the sport’s popularity, many areas remain under-served, with Urban Future stating that 72% of courts in England are in the south. Development of the facility would also bring in a Hyrox fitness area, a boxing gym, standard gym, steam room and supporting facilities.

The unit has 60 parking spaces.

Tower Road Business Park is situated just off Redearth Road, close to the A666 Bolton Road, in a mixed residential and commercial area of Darwen, around 0.5 miles south-east of the town centre.

Included in Urban Future’s planning submission is a sequential site assessment, outlining how other sites were considered and ruled out. Both the unsuitability in size of many town centre buildings, and applicant’s business model – a requirement of renting rather than buying property or taking on a new-build – is cited.

The proposals can be viewed on BwD’s planning portal, reference 10/26/0504.