Cathedral Quarter edges closer

PLANS have been submitted form Blackburn’s long-awaited £25m Cathedral Quarter development.

The 118,000 sq ft scheme will include a 60-bed hotel, restaurants, shops, a new bus interchange and 37,000 sq ft of offices.

It will also feature a new building next to the cathedral including a refectory, library, conference facilities and offices.

The scheme is a partnership between Eric Wright Group subsidiary Maple Grove Developments, the cathedral, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Maple Grove said it is in the final stages of negotiation with a national chain to run the hotel.

Director Andrew Dewhurst said: “The lodging of the planning application follows years of strong collaboration between the four partners who have enabled this scheme to reach this important stage.

“We hope that, following granting of the planning application later this year, work will commence on site in 2013 and will be completed by mid-2015.”

Councillor Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said: “The development of the Cathedral Quarter is part of an ambitious 15-year vision which we have been determined to see become a reality.

“Despite the cuts, the council and its partners have worked hard to ensure that this £25m scheme still goes ahead. The development will bring much needed jobs to the town and will be an impressive addition to the town centre which has already seen a new shopping centre, new market and new youth zone.”

A decision on the plans is expected by November.