Blackburn's Salvation Army left in the dark over supermarket plan (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn's Salvation Army left in the dark over supermarket plan

4:16pm Friday 28th September 2012 in News

BLACKBURN’S Salvation Army is writing to the borough council expressing disappointment about not being consulted about how redevelopment plans for the Old Market and Thwaites brewery sites will affect their headquarters.

The Christian group wants to know what happens to their 86-year-old Citadel on the corner of Salford and Vicar Street, which is on the edge of the proposed Sainsbury’s superstore.

It is concerned that the redevelopment could force the group to move and unhappy that Blackburn with Darwen council have not given early information of how work could affect their central complex in the town.

The council and Thwaites have been involved in a year-long stand-off over a new Sainsbury’s with both hoping to locate it on their land.

The retail giant hopes a deal can be struck allowing a major superstore to stretch across both sites with the council giving up its 99-year lease in Starkie Street car park which is holding up Thwaites plans to go it alone on their Star Brewery site.

With a crucial meeting scheduled for the end of October, ex-Army treasurer Alan Bury said: “We are concerned about what happens to our building.

“When previous plans for this area were being considered five years ago and 15 years ago, we were consulted very early and then nothing happened.

“We are disappointed that we have not been consulted on the latest scheme and will be writing to the council to express that disappointment and ask where we are with the plans.

“We spent tens of thousand of pounds renovating the building since 1989 and want to know if we are going to have to move.”

Blackburn Salvation Army leader Major Katrina added: “If there is information available, we would be disappointed not to have been told.”

The council declined to comment.

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