The previous well being centre in Blackburn’s Ash Grove is to be transformed into eight outlets after the Native Assessment Physique overturned planning officers’ refusal of proposals.
Blackburn native, and Bathgate councillor, Willie Boyle stated the council had failed the village with the buying centre’s closure - and argued that to dam the brand new plans would fail them once more.
He identified that the village has already misplaced its neighborhood centre and is ready to lose what little retail area there may be left with the demolition of a part of the buying centre shut by, and its eventual alternative with homes.
He stated the brand new outlets can be an “alternative to place issues proper.”
The previous well being centre has lain empty because the new Blackburn Partnership constructing was opened three years in the past.
Zulkernan Ahmed had utilized for planning permission to subdivide the constructing to create eight particular person store models open to a spread of companies, together with scorching meals takeaways.
Planners had rejected the proposal as a result of it promised solely six parking areas, as an alternative of the 18 required below planning guidelines.
Councillor Boyle instructed the assembly that having grown up within the village the well being centre had all the time been thought of a part of the city centre, regardless of planners assertions that it lay on the boundary.
He stated: “As a council we now have failed miserably so far as placemaking ideas is anxious in Blackburn.”
He added the council had been “hell-bent” on constructing the brand new partnership constructing.
This had led to one of many largest models within the buying centre being vacated and mendacity empty. In the long run this has led to the buying centre being earmarked for partial demolition as there was no industrial curiosity within the models. At current the Scotmid grocery store on the southern facet of the arcade will stay.
Councillor Boyle stated: “That automotive parking area for what was for Blackburn city centre is now solely going to serve the grocery store, if it stays, and the partnership. There’s ample parking area, and given that is city centre area and this [the former health centre] was a public constructing in a central location what placemaking ideas will we count on this constructing for use for?
“I’m actually upset on the lack of ahead planning right here. The neighborhood centre has gone, the buying centre is about to go and there’ll be two retail models throughout the highway the place the storage was.
“I welcome the chance to place issues proper and provides the folks of Blackburn the extra retail area they clearly want.”
Impartial councillor Stuart Borrowman seconded a proposal to permit the outlets plan to go forward, including: “I feel Willie has summed it up nicely. The council doesn’t have any placemaking intuition, not in planning, not in housing, not in property companies. I’d be blissful to help the enchantment.”
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