Ex-MP Jake Berry's former Darwen office to become taxi hub

Planning permission has been given for the conversion of the premises in Railway Road.

Applicant Waseem Hussain can now turn the building into a taxi booking office with no public access.

Blackburn with Darwen Council approved the plan with two conditions.

The building was used by former Rossendale and Darwen MP Sir Jake until his defeat by Labour's Andy MacNae in July 4's General Election, by 5,628 votes.

The former Conservative Party chair had represented the constituency since 2010, holding a number of government posts including Northern Powerhouse minister in that time.

A planning officer's report recommending approval says: "The host building is a single-storey, stone-built, property.

"It adjoins a three-storey building that forms part of the terrace fronting the west side of Railway Road.

The site had been Jake Berry's constituency office "The property is set back from the adjoining terrace and has a flagged forecourt in front.

"The site is bounded to the south by the service road for the adjacent Darwen Market premises.

"The building is currently vacant, having last been occupied as a constituency office for the local MP.

"Full planning approval for a change of use of the building to a taxi control office.

"The submission indicates the taxi office will not have access for visiting members of the public. No external alterations are proposed.

"The application site is located, principally, in a commercial setting within the defined Darwen town centre. The premises are also within the Darwen town centre conservation area.

"Given this factor, and the nature of the proposed use that does not include access for members of the general public, there appears little prospect for the proposal to erode the amenity of surrounding uses.

"It is also noted the property has previously operated as a taxi booking office for more than a decade without any identified conflict with the amenities of the locality.

"The submission indicates that the taxi office will operate with one full-time member of staff.

"There is no access to the premises for the general public as the taxi office is intended to operate in conjunction with an online booking service, operated via an app.

"Given the nature of the intended online booking service and the absence of public access, as would be common-place in a more traditional taxi booking office, there appears no realistic prospect of taxis picking up patrons from the street outside the building.

"As such no conflicts with highway safety are identified."