Blackburn Cathedral zone £33m revamp is approved

Clergy Court is expected to be completed in autumn 2015

Work is set to begin near Blackburn Cathedral as part of a £33m development named Cathedral Quarter.

A £7m phase called Clergy Court was approved by the cathedral, after planning permission was granted by the council.

Blackburn with Darwen Council gave the green light for the plans which include a hall of residence for music scholars, a library and houses for the clergy.

Clergy Court is expected to be completed in autumn 2015.

'Heat-beat back'

Educational and community work that is undertaken at the cathedral will be carried out in Clergy Court.

The Cathedral Quarter includes a hotel, restaurants, shops, bus interchange, Blackburn Youth Zone, the clergy court and offices. The development will be completed in three phases.

The council claim once the development is completed up to 350 jobs could be created.

Blackburn Cathedral, the council, the Homes and Communities Agency and the European Regional Development Fund have funded and worked together on the project.

Blackburn Cathedral Dean, The Very Rev Christopher Armstrong said: "This is a very happy time after 13 years of planning and hard work.

"Our mantra over this extensive period is to bring the heart-beat back to Blackburn."