Proposals to transfer Morrisons town centre supermarket in Blackburn to the site of the former Thwaites brewery have cleared their first hurdle.

A screening request to find out if an environmental impact assessment (EIA) was required before the submission of a planning application for the project has been ruled on by officials.

The project to knock down Morrisons existing 1980s store and move it to the site of the former Star Brewery on Penny Street, vacated when Thwaites moved to Mellor Brook in 2018, was first revealed in a £250m Blackburn town centre masterplan last December.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Maple Grove Developments, part of the Eric Wright Group, bought the Thwaites site in 2021.

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Now borough planning officials have ruled that an EIA is not required clearing the way for a full planning application for the scheme later this year.

The screening request, on behalf of Maple Grove and Morrisons, covered a new store, the demolition of the current one and the nearby car park.

Under the Blackburn masterplan, the Morrisons car park would be upgraded for public use with a replacement for customers.

The decision letter from the council's director of growth and development Martin Kelly says: "In the opinion of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council the proposal is unlikely to have significant effects on the environment, by virtue of the scale, location and nature of the development.

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"On this basis, I can confirm it is the opinion of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council that the proposed development would not be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment."

The screening request letter revealed: “Phase one will be the erection of a convenience retail store with a proposed floorspace of circa 30,000 sq ft, on the northern parcel of the development site. The rear elevation of the store will face onto Eanam, with the front elevation and car parking area facing outwards to the north-west direction.

“Vehicle access will be from Barbara Castle Way and Penny Street, with additional pedestrian and cycle access points. HGV and service vehicles will access the site from Eanam.

"The development will also include the creation of public realm, pedestrian and cycle paths and landscaping.”

A Morrisons spokeswoman declined to comment on the latest development.