THE beginning of the end is nigh for one of Blackburn town centre’s most famous landmarks.
Thwaites has applied to demolish its iconic Star Brewery in Penny Street as it prepares to move staff to a new £10m site in Mellor Brook within two years.
The 207-year-old brewery, which has more than 300 pubs across the country, announced its move to the Ribble Valley in June this year.
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Now bosses at the firm have submitted an environmental impact assessment (EIA) screening request, which outlines the proposed demolition of its current home.
The 11-page document highlights considerations including flooding and pollution risks, the effect on surrounding buildings and roads, and the impact of the work alongside other projects, chiefly the new bus station in Ainsworth Street.
The report, put together by Birmingham-based property services experts DTZ, states: “On the basis of the temporary nature of the works, the safeguards that will be put in place during the period of the works, and low sensitivity of the structures and surrounding area, it is concluded that the demolition works will not result in significant environ-mental effects.”
The demolition site, bordered by Penny Street, Barbara Castle Way, Eanam, Starkie Street and Vicar Street, will be surveyed for asbestos.
The works are likely to generate temporary noise, vibration, dust and nuisance, which will be monitored and controlled to reduce the impact on the nearest residential properties, 120 metres away.
The report adds: “The only potential permanent impact arising from the works would be the loss of the buildings. Although the site is relatively large the range of building types and styles on this site doesn’t contribute to the legibility of the area, and the buildings and structures to be demolished have no heritage value, meaning any impact in this respect must be considered negligible at worst.”
John Draper, estates director at Thwaites, said: “This is purely procedural in anti-cipation of Thwaites vacating the existing site in the next two to three years.”
The new facility, four miles away in Sykes Holt, Mellor Brook, will feature a new brewery and head office, as well as an expanded visitor centre.
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