The cleared former Thwaites brewery site in Blackburn town centre earmarked for a new Morrison's supermarket is to be used to temporarily store commercial vehicles.

It will be used by Leyland DAF Trucks for up to an initial six months from Monday, January 8, while the full planning application for the flagship development is prepared.

Arrangements are being put in place to accommodate the fairground scheduled for the February half-term at an alternative location, close to the former Thwaites site.

The agreement follows enforcement action taken by the Blackburn with Darwen Council on Thursday, January 4, on a landowner offering an unauthorised storage site at Waterside near Hoddlesden.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Maple Grove Developments own the Penny Street brewery site.

It has been earmarked for the new Morrison's store in the ambitious £250 million 10-year masterplan for Blackburn town centre unveiled in December 2021.

The temporary storage use will support retaining jobs in Lancashire.

Councillor Phil Riley, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Council officers have responded quickly to the concerns of local residents about the unauthorised storage site at Waterside, serving an enforcement notice on the landowner for operating without planning permission.

"Understanding that Leyland DAF needed a storage facility to support their commercial operation, I’m pleased that we have been able to agree a temporary solution using current vacant land at Larkhill, on the site of the former Thwaites brewery.

"This land, which belongs to the Council and to Maple Grove Developments, is still earmarked for redevelopment for a new supermarket.

"However, while we await the planning application, we are in a position to authorise temporary use of this land as storage, and generate an income.

"That, to me, is a no-brainer.

"The land at Larkhill belongs to Maple Grove Blackburn Ltd, a joint venture between Maple Grove Developments and Blackburn with Darwen Council.

"Legally the site can be used as storage for 28 days without planning permission.

"During the next 28 days, planning permission may be sought to accommodate vehicle storage on the site for a longer period.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming back the fairground which is always popular with families over the February half term.

"We’re working with the fairground management to agree on an alternative site that will allow them to offer the same experience to visitors."