Blackburn musician’s school gets approved ahead of anniversary

McNally Music Tuition has given teenagers a place to learn, practice, and perform their craft for the past 10 years, operating out of premises on Sudell Cross in the town centre.

Budding artists whose talents have been nurtured by musician Phil McNally have even gone on to form their own bands and record and release their own music.

But just ahead of their 10th anniversary celebrations, the music school has moved to new premises on the other side of town, where it can continue its work of fostering the musicians of tomorrow.

McNally has helped to nurture a number of bands in Blackburn

Blackburn with Darwen Council gave McNally Music Tuition full planning permission this week for its new studios, which the school moved to in April after submitting its plans in February.

The council’s approval included the change of use for the building, from Class E retail to a Class F1 learning institution, with the condition that it only be used as a music school.

This is to deter other issues that could arise from this change of use, with little on-street parking nearby being cited as a potential concern should the building’s use change in the future.

However, with music lessons being pre-booked, council officers judged the school’s impact on nearby roads to be minimal.

While the authority approved of the move to its new and improved site on 7 Mill Lane, concerns were raised about the potential impact of noise on its neighbouring businesses, a taxi firm and a beauty parlour.

In response to this, Mr McNally submitted further plans that included the installation of large AudioSilk acoustic panels on the walls of all four of its new music teaching rooms, which share a wall with the beauty parlour’s ground and first floors.

This high-density soundproofing material should lower echoes, reverb, and other noise pollution stemming from the school’s students as they learn their craft, which council officers deemed to be adequate.

With brand premises and 10 years of talent to celebrate, McNally Music Tuition will be holding a student showcase event at Sunbird Records in Darwen on July 12, where 14 youth groups who have been hard at practice will show off their growing skills.