Yahoo News Backdated gym conversion submitted in Blackburn
A backdated planning application has been submitted to regularise the use of a former taxi booking office in Blackburn’s Cathedral Quarter Conservation area as a gym. Owner Hamzah Ahmed has been using the premises at the rear of 32B Darwen Street without permission.
But he has now asked Blackburn with Darwen Council for retrospective approval for the conversion and the insertion of new windows in the front reception area.
Supporting documents submitted with the application say: “The building in which the application site is located forms the rear portion of 32 Darwen Street and specifically the ground floor of part of the two-storey rear outrigger as well as the single-storey extension which is a 20th Century addition and was formerly used as a taxi booking office. Both parts of the building have recently been used as a personal training gym and the application seeks to confirm this use.
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“This part of the building is not distinguished in terms of architecture or aesthetic appeal and its contribution to the significance of the conservation area is low. In terms of the history of the area the contribution of the 20th Century extension is zero and that of the two-storey outrigger is mainly as an adjunct to the grander part of the building which fronts on to Darwen Street.
“The personal training gym will reinforce the character of the area as a location for small businesses in the service sector. The only physical changes proposed to the building are new windows in the front elevation of the 20th Century extension to provide a more attractive reception area for the personal trainer customers.
“The proposed development will not have any adverse impact on the significance of the conservation area. Rather it will preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area. The site faces on to St Peter Street, although in the planning history it is referred to as one to four Cathedral View.
“The main building to which the site is attached fronts on to Darwen Street. It is aesthetically degraded and makes a negative contribution to the appearance of the conservation area.
“The single-storey extension was formerly used as a taxi booking office and the area and the area of frontage parking was used by the taxi business. The premises have been in use as a personal training gym for some time and have operated without detriment to the surrounding area.
“The use is entirely appropriate to the character of the conservation area which, other than the Cathedral itself, is largely focused on mainly small-scale commercial businesses and services.”
