Planning Applications - Hyndburn Borough Council

The building is to be located towards the western end of the site with a service yard on its western
side and the car park mainly at the eastern, Park Road end of the site. The elevation fronting the
car park is almost fully glazed and this glazing wraps around the south-eastern corner of the
building, where the main store entrance and coffee shop are located, and on to the Queen Street
elevation. The Queen Street frontage also includes significant areas of terracotta tile cladding and
cedar boarding. The remaining elevations (northern, to the recreation ground, and western, to the
service yard) will have cladding and cedar boarding.
Planning history
Planning history relates to the Metflex site and is not relevant to the determination of this
application. Planning permission was granted on 15 th December 2005 for a temporary two year
period (11/05/0737) to use the eastern part of the site for second hand car sales.
Metflex Ltd. were granted planning permission on 22 nd October 2007 for the erection of a Class B2
manufacturing unit with associated plant and staff parking on land at Alan Ramsbottom Way
(11/07/0451). Metflex propose to transfer their business from the existing premises on the
application site to the new premises to be built at Alan Ramsbottom Way.
Consultations
Lancashire County Council (Highways): No objections in principle subject to detailed design of
mini-roundabout and traffic light controlled junction at Whalley Road/Hyndburn Road. Car parking
satisfactory but service yard needs to be re-designed including removal of servicing layby. Need
for financial contribution towards bus facilities on Queen Street.
Lancashire County Council (Strategic Planning): Considers that the proposed development
conforms to strategic planning policy; scale of the retail development would be complementary to
the size and role of Great Harwood – issues of quantitative and qualitative need, sequential
approach and retail impact have been satisfactorily addressed; even if the site were lost to
employment use, an adequate supply of employment land would remain; archaeological
investigations required; bats could potentially occupy existing buildings, and ecological advice may
be needed.
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council: Objects to the proposed development but a smaller
food sales area may be acceptable; applicant has not demonstrated that scale and character of
proposed development is appropriate within a centre of Great Harwood’s scale and function, that
there is a need for the scale of convenience floorspace proposed, or that the smaller units cannot be
disaggregated and relocated to available alternative sites; catchment area adopted is too broad,
given the proximity of higher-order centres; proposed development is likely to have a significant
and adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Great Harwood centre.
Ribble Valley Borough Council: No observations to make.
Environment Agency: Original objection now withdrawn.
Hyndburn Borough Council (Regeneration): Regeneration recognise that there is some need for
the re-structuring of the existing shopping provision in the town and better shopping facilities will
help improve the attractiveness of Great Harwood, attract new shoppers to the town and help retain
local shoppers in the town. Some existing shops may be at risk and there needs to be good links
between the proposed store and the town centre. Design, in particular the southern elevation, is
unattractive. The store should be brought nearer to Queen Street and there should be an entrance at
the western end of the store. Need for Section 106 contributions to support improvements to the
town centre.
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