A NEW glass entrance next to Darwen’s historic town hall could showcase local craftsmanship.

Plans for a new entrance to Darwen Market Hall are set to go before planning committee members next week.

Blackburn with Darwen Council says the entrance is necessary after the demolition of the three-day market and covered walkway last year left parts of the annex building that were once internal exposed to the elements.

Despite the historical significance of the town hall, the building is not listed but lies within a conservation area.

Adjacent to the town hall is the late 20th Century annex building, which is an extension to the town hall that houses additional market facilities and a large roof level car park.

The extension was considered to be ‘modern’ and appropriate in its time but it is now seen as neither a polite nor an appropriate addition to the context of the town hall.

A report to go before the committee on Thursday states: “The proposal will see the installation of a new fully glazed curtain walling system with automated door to the existing secondary entrance to the market hall, which sits within the annex building adjacent to the town hall.

“The building accommodates market facilities and a roof level car park. The parapet wall to the car park which sits above the entrance is proposed to be over clad in Faience panels, locally produced by Darwen Terracotta and Faience.

“The proposal will reinforce the presence of the entrance, appearing as a modern and vibrant alteration contrasting with the historic Victorian context of the adjoining Town Hall and complementing the public realm area proposed for the space formally occupied by the Three Day Market Building, which was recently demolished.”

It is recommended committee members approve the application and would have to begin within three years and submission of colour detail of the Faience cladding would have to be received before work could start.