A military training tunnel is to be dug up at Blackburn's Somme Barracks and replaced by a new base for cadets.

The scheme will also see the demolition of two outbuildings at the Army Reserve Centre in Moss Street.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has approved the proposal for the demolition of the existing training tunnel and two outbuildings and the erection of a new single-storey cadet training and meeting building, with nine conditions.

It was submitted by the North West Reserve Forces and Cadets Association.

A report by planning officer Martin Kenny recommending approval says: "The site forms part of the existing Somme Barracks, Army Reserve Centre, which occupies land to the south of Moss Street.

"The site occupies land within the southwest corner of the barracks, with railway lines bounding the southern and western edges.

Lancashire Telegraph: The existing tunnel and outbuildingsThe existing tunnel and outbuildings

"The site is currently occupied by a training tunnel covered with vegetation and connected single-storey buildings, constructed in red brick and with pitched tiled roofing. The land immediately surrounding the site is amenity grassland.

"The proposed development is to demolish the existing training tunnel and connected buildings and replace them with a new modular building for use by the Blackburn Army Cadets.

"The new building is single-storey, with a pitched roof. It will be clad with plastisol-coated metal cladding.

"The southern roof slope will also accommodate photo-voltaic panels.

"The proposal seeks to replace, in the same location, an existing cadet training facility within the barracks grounds.

"The submitted material schedule indicates the use of a simple colour palette, principally differing shades of grey, excluding the use of black rainwater goods.

"The proposal would not be readily visible from the public domain save for limited exposure from the adjacent railway line.

"The proposed design is sympathetic to the setting, replicating the massing and form of the retained buildings in the immediate area within the Barracks.

"Similarly, the proposal replicates the materials found within the new modular buildings within the industrial and commercial uses on the opposite side of the railway line.

"The Barracks has a large, dedicated car park area to the front, adjacent to Moss Street. This is unaffected by the development proposals.

"There is no indication that the staffing levels would increase. Furthermore, it is clear that the large car park on-site is commonly underutilised.

"The application will result in a modest reduction in the area of the grassland within the site."