Demolition to begin at Darwen Youth Centre

Saturday, 27 July 2024 15:07

By Bill Jacobs - LDRS

DEMOLITION of the Darwen Youth Centre will start in September as the borough council seeks to keep its transformation project within its £3.3million cost envelope.

The new young people’s hub Knott Street hub is to double in size adding a brand-new first floor.

The extension will pave the way for a new creative workshop space, a recording and DJ studio, a gaming zone, multi-use spaces and upgraded outdoor sports facilities.

Earlier this week Blackburn with Darwen Council revealed that the original proposal to demolish only part of the building had been scrapped and the whole youth centre would have to be knocked down.

Now the authority’s children’s services, young people and education boss Cllr Julie Gunn has given an update on the scheme.

She said: “The original planning permission for the transformation of Darwen Youth Centre included partial demolition of the existing building.

“However, following the appointment of the contractor in March 2024, more detailed surveys highlighted that it would be more cost-effective to demolish the entire building.

“An amendment to the existing planning consent was obtained in April 2024.

“Officers are looking closely at efficiencies to make the existing budget for this project work, having taken contractors’ advice to get better value for money.

“Contractors will demolish the existing building in early September 2024 for work to progress on site.

“No areas of the existing building have any heritage value.

“Work is continuing to make sure that the budget is maximised to bring about the best possible youth centre for young people in Darwen, with state-of-the-art facilities that we know will make a real difference to them.”