Darwen youth centre's £3.3m upgrade approved

An artist's impression of how a transformed Darwen Youth Centre will look

Plans to double the size of a town's youth centre have been given the go-ahead.

Darwen Youth Centre will have a new gaming area and a recording studio when the extra storey is added.

Works on the Knott Street building will cost £3.3m, with funding coming from the government's Youth Investment Fund.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee chairman Dave Smith said it was a "fantastic... long overdue" development.

Gavin Prescott, the council's planning manager, described the design as an "excellent piece of architecture on the edge of town".

There will be two extensions on the sides, with stair towers that will lead up to the new first floor.

A new main entrance will be added, and the multi-use games area (MUGA) will be moved.

Darwen Youth Centre in its current state

Conservative councillor Derek Hardman questioned whether the loss of 17 parking spaces would affect local streets.

Borough growth boss councillor Quesir Mahmood said the shortfall would be dealt with town-wide review of parking.

He added: "This great news. Children from across Darwen and the borough will be able to use this fantastic new facility."

His Conservative opposite number councillor Paul Marrow said: "It will be a great asset."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [e-mail]