Backdated plans submitted for Darwen antiques market

The antiques market opened in January in the of vacant mill premises located at the former Old Co-op Bakery Mill, Borough Road, Darwen, which used to house Darwen Windows Ltd, but planning permission had not been granted by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Darwen Windows Ltd went bust in 2020, owing more than £270,000 to customers and suppliers.

Last week, Sandra Lambert submitted plans for the site, despite the antiques business having already been open for five months.

A planning statement reads: “The development has already been completed as the applicant did not realise that consent was required.

“The applicant relocated into the application site following a move from the former Unit 17 premises in Lower Darwen.

“Owing to a continued business success, the business had outgrown the former premises and so she sought larger premises. As such, the proposals are retrospective.

“The application building comprises a substantial former mill premises of red brick construction located in the centre of Darwen.

“It was constructed in 1901 as an industrial ‘bakery’ and later subdivided in to separate units with various commercial entities having located within the mill complex over recent decades.

“The premises has been vacant for some time and the site’s owner has not received market interest from traditional mill occupiers and seeks to put the vacant unit to effective use.

“The Council recently allowed the change of use of the basement area into a live music venue, acknowledging the site’s suitability for alternative uses to reflect market demand.

“This application seeks to change the use of the upper floors only and would comprise an antiques sales and display area, akin to an ‘indoor car boot’.

“The proposed development will put the vacant space to effective use, will promote consumer choice in the locality, add to the vibrancy of Darwen town centre and create jobs for local people.

“The site is considered to be within an ideal location, within the centre of Darwen and within walking distance of other similar retail provision enabling users to make linked trips.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council will now need to make a decision on whether to grant he backdated planning permission.

Meanwhile, the market will continue to open, from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays and 10am to 3pm on Sunday.

The auction house and antiques centre is open seven days a week, from 10am until 4pm.