Published Thursday 24 February 2022 at 12:06
Residents in Blackburn with Darwen will be able to find out more about the borough’s brand new Local Plan at two drop-in sessions next week.
The plan will provide a blueprint for the future – identifying sites for new homes and business developments to pave the way for thousands of new jobs.
It will also set out proposals for improvements to roads and schools as well as ways to consider climate change in all planning decisions and more.
Experts from Blackburn with Darwen Council will be at the sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday next week to answer residents’ questions as part of the final round of public consultation.
The events will run over two days:
Tuesday, March 1st – 12 noon – 7pm – Blackburn Central Library
Wednesday, March 2nd – 12 noon – 7pm – Darwen Youth Centre (Knott Street)
Residents are encouraged to drop-in at a time convenient to them. There’ll be a video that explains more about the Local Plan as well as a range of exhibition boards detailing proposals for the area.
Years of hard work by officers at the Council has gone in to developing the plan which will be vital to aiding the areas recovery following the pandemic.
Councillor Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:
The Local Plan is vitally important to shaping the borough over the next 15 years, improving the lives of our residents, creating thousands of new jobs and ensuring we have the right mix of quality homes across the borough.
The plan covers subjects that we know are really important to our residents in Blackburn with Darwen including new developments, schools, roads and our green spaces.
These new drop-in sessions are a way for residents to find out more – to come along, take a look at the proposals, speak to our experts and have their say on the proposals.
The Local Plan sets out how development and growth requirements across the borough up until 2037 will be met.
It includes the £250 million transformation of Blackburn Town Centre and the £90m Darwen Town Deal regeneration plans.
There’s also proposals for a new Household Waste Recycling Centre for the borough which would replace the out-dated existing facilities.
Councillor Riley added:
The Local Plan gives us a really strong foundation on which to deliver our vision for improved communities right across Blackburn with Darwen, dealing with climate change and giving everyone the very best chance in life and access to the services they need.
It also determines how we will make Blackburn with Darwen a healthier and more prosperous borough that meets the needs of our growing population.
The plan is based on evidence and feedback, reflects the types of homes and jobs we need as a borough to improve community wellbeing, what type of high streets we have and how we maximise the benefits from our parks and green spaces.
I do hope residents will take part in the consultation – we’ve made it as easy as possible to get involved.
The final, six week public consultation will run until Friday, March 18th.
You can find out everything you need to know and have your say by visiting: www.blackburn.gov.uk/local plan