Former Roe Lee Mill site to get new car sales lot

Scrubland on part of the site of a derelict former cotton mill has been approved for a seven-day-a-week operation

Yasran Yaseen has been granted planning permission by councillors to turn the vacant 7,445 square metre plot off Whalley New Road in Blackburn into a commercial venture selling motor vehicles.

It is part of the site of the former Roe Lee Mill.

A report to Blackburn with Darwen Council's planning committee on Thursday night said: "A significant number of public objections have been received.

"The objections raised principally concern the potential for noise pollution, increased traffic and adverse impacts on highway safety to be caused.

"Parking shortfalls in the local area and potential for air quality to be adversely effected have also been cited.

"The proposals would deliver a temporary car sales pitch for up to 236 vehicles.

"The siting of two sales cabins, formation of staff and customer parking, and erection of security fencing is also detailed on the submitted plans together with the formation of two new recessed access points from Alderman Arthur Townsend Way.

"On balance, the proposals would be satisfactory from a technical point of view, with all issues having been addressed during the course of the application process, or capable of being controlled or mitigated through appropriately worded planning conditions."

Blackburn Central ward's Cllr Zamir Khan said: "It is going to be an improvement."

Blackburn South and Lower Darwen Conservative Cllr Jacqui Slater said: "I support this application. It's must be better than it is now."

In January planning permission was granted for 20 new industrial units at the Rosewood Avenue end of the Roe Lee Mill site.