A planning application has been lodged with the council to transform an old mill site into a new industrial development.

Barnfield Construction Limited submitted plans to Blackburn with Darwen Council to turn the old Victorian Mill site in Balle Street, Darwen, into a 33,500sqft industrial unit with on-site car parking, a service yard and landscaping.

Vehicular and pedestrian access will be provided via a priority-controlled access on Balle Street with footways either side, and will aim to provide 39 on-site car parking spaces, two accessible spaces and four cycle parking spaces as well as room for two motorcycle parking spaces.

A transport statement submitted with the application read: "In summary, the site is located within an established commercial/industrial area, with local amenities located within a reasonable walking distance of the site. It has therefore been demonstrated that the site is well-placed in terms of pedestrian connectivity, with walking representing a realistic alternative to car trips."

In 2021, Nelson company Barnfield bought the 162-year-old Balle Street Mill site for a fee understood to be around £240,000.

The firm asked to knock down the 5,190sqm mill, which was built between 1850 and 1852.

Managing director Tim Webber confirmed that discussions were ongoing as to what the site could be redeveloped as, but it could be used for both industrial and commercial premises, with sales and lettings manager at Barnfield, saying at the time that they were 'looking forward to breathing new life into this former mill site'.