Blackburn's Margo Towers approved for church to open

The proposal by the Redeemed Christian Church of God to convert the former hairdressers into a "vibrant place of religious worship" to serve the "spiritual and community needs" of people in the town has been granted planning permission.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has approved the conversion of the ground floor of The Tower in Astley Gate with four conditions.

Margo Grimshaw, a former columnist for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, was behind the apartment building's construction 15 years ago.

She created a pub empire worth millions of pounds.

The ground floor of the building can now be used as a church and community centre by the Redeemed Christian Church of God's 'Pathfinder House of Grace', a registered charity that operates across the country.

The charity says it aims to "advance the Christian faith" and support the community through education, and provide support to those experiencing hardship.

The conditions imposed include that the church shall only operate between the hours of 8am and 6pm and there shall not at any time be the use of amplified sound equipment, calls to prayer of any type, or live music..

A planning officer's report recommending approval says: "The application site comprises part of the ground floor of a mixed-use building that is located within Blackburn town centre and the Cathedral Conservation Area.

"The site is a multi-storey building with apartments operated from the upper levels. A hairdresser's previously occupied the site.

"This application involves changing the use of the vacant hairdressers to a place of worship.

"The floor plans show the formation of a gathering area with supporting functions including offices, toilets, a dining area and storage provided to the back of the building.

"When compared with a hairdresser's, it is acknowledged that the proposals could potentially see an increase in footfall and noise-related activities closer to the residential premises above.

"That said, the site’s town centre location and existing presence of a number of nearby noise-generating businesses should be taken into account.

"It should also be noted that a number of intensive uses (e.g. a restaurant, gym etc) could be formed within the vacant hairdressers without the need for planning consent.

"No external alterations are required, and no impacts would be caused for the setting of the conservation area.

"Policy states that within town centres, planning permission will be granted for developments that contribute to one or more specific objectives, which include expanding the role of the town centres to support vitality and viability and enhancing the overall attraction of the centre to local communities.

"The proposed use would align with all of those broad policy directions."