PROPOSALS to demolish Darwen’s three-day market hall clearing the way for a new three-tier public open ‘green’ space have been approved by councillors.

Consent given on Thursday night will allow work to start in earnest on the £1.67million scheme to provide a focal point.

Cllr Brian Taylor, from Sunnyhurst ward, told colleagues the 1960s building was ‘a carbuncle, without in my opinion any architectural worth whatsoever’.

The Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee approved knocking down the now closed and empty building despite opposition from its four Conservative members.

Cllr Jacquie Slater, Tory spokeswoman, accused the borough of being ‘hell-bent on demolition’ and said that the proposal was not the replacement needed by the borough’s own planning rules to demolish a building in a conservation area.

The scheme, already approved by the borough’s executive board, will create ‘a shared space’ for events.

The market hall is scheduled for demolition in November with a temporary tarmac surface put down for the Christmas lights.

The design which aims to open up views to key landmarks including the Town Hall, St Peter’s Church and Darwen Tower, will be split into three zones.

The top looks down on the main public space with seating and planting while the middle will reuse former storage units under Railway Road as small shops.

The main, lower area will be a flexible public space with ‘amphitheatre-style’ seating and space for a stage in front of the Victorian Town Hall to host events.

Cllr Slater said: “I regret the council is prepared to break its own rules. I do not consider some tarmac to be a substantial replacement.”

Planning committee chairman Dave Smith said the proposal would be a big improvement to the town centre conservation area.