THE new owners of the stables block at the former Thwaites Brewery have revealed they propose to turn it into 10 industrial units.

EP (Properties ) Ltd of Blackburn believe the refurbishments will create new jobs near the town centre.

The scheme has been revealed in backdated planning application by the firm, run by Zakir Issa, brother of the EG Group's bosses Mohsin and Zuber.

EP (Properties) brought the stables block in Eanam, Blackburn, from Thwaites in June 2019 after the company vacated the adjoining, now demolished, brewery following its move to Sykes Holt in the Ribble Valley.

The firm promises that the work, which has already started, will retain many of the stables block's original features.

A planning statement and heritage assessment prepared by Urban Futures says the scheme would fit in well with the surrounding Eanam Wharf Conservation Area and would 'make a valuable contribution towards the Council’s employment land supply'.

It says: "The applicant seeks to put the vacant premises to effective use and considers the location - within an existing commercial area and adjacent to a large industrial estate - to be an ideal setting for such a development. The new premises would be occupied by new or expanding local businesses in need of such accommodation

"This statement will demonstrate that the minor modifications being proposed are acceptable from a heritage and conservation viewpoint.

"The site is located within a highly commercial setting near to the town centre. The locality is mostly made up of employment-generating uses with much manufacturing and distribution uses.

"Consent is sought for the conversion of the former stables block to include 10 industrial units to be occupied by local businesses.

"In order to bring about the conversion, minimal external modifications are sought including the insertion of roller shutters on some units and the bricking up of a number of openings.

"The applicant seeks to put to effective use a group of buildings which formed part of brewery complex which no longer exists in the town."

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council's regeneration boss, said: "We always welcome interest in renovating existing building and creating new employment opportunities in the town centre.

"It will be carefully considered by planning officers and possibly referred for consideration by the planning committee."