Blakey Moor Terrace planning application
An exemplary modern heritage interpretation providing beneficial economic and social impact to the future high street.
An unloved part of Blackburn City Centre is being transformed through Blackburn with Darwen councils’ acquisition and National Lottery Heritage Fund investment in a mis-used heritage asset. Successive and uncontrolled alterations have left Blakey Moor Terrace structurally unsound, at risk and unoccupied. The buildings decline and under use; negatively impacts on the surrounding economy and conservation area.
Group Ginger’s design proposals respond to the council’s ambitious Heritage Area improvement strategy to revitalise the cultural quarter providing a lasting difference for heritage, local communities and to help build a resilient economy. The proposals for a key project; Blakey Moor terrace, will improve the high street by attracting diverse communities through socially inclusive uses and a focus on its unique local identity. The restoration and appropriation of the terrace provides flexible spaces for food, drink, retail, arts and leisure. The proposals complement the wider ambition for cultural regeneration of the area and help to increase visits to King George’s Hall and the new cinema to positively impact on the evening economy. Inaccessible land to the rear of the terrace has been integrated to provide new public spaces and an impressive rear south facing courtyard.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) have confirmed their approval of the scheme and grant support, commenting that the modern design successfully reinterprets the historic model to re-purpose and revitalise the heritage structure. Group Ginger have introduced an elegant re-interpretation of the original, while preserving the historical quality of the terrace. A formal submission of the Planning Application will be made this month, followed by the construction contract going out to tender in the Autumn.
The Townscape Heritage Project is a joint investment by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Group Ginger
Group ginger is a practice of architects. Our name derives from the political term, a ginger group. Ginger groups work to identify alternative ideas for the benefit of their host. As such Group Ginger works with clients to identify opportunities which amplify development potential and celebrate activity.
