The proposal would transform two existing grass pitches behind the former Shear Brow college into modern 4G surfaces, complete with floodlighting, new changing facilities, a management building and additional parking.

The site is currently home to Blackburn United FC, which uses the former college sports facilities as its base, with the application aiming to create a year-round football hub capable of hosting far more matches and training sessions than the existing grass pitches.

Planning documents, submitted by Naz Shah of Urban Future Planning Consultancy on behalf of the applicant, say the new pitches would be available for community use and help tackle a shortage of high-quality football facilities in the borough.

The football pitches will be located on the playing fields closest to the former college (Image: Blackburn with Darwen Council)

 The move would mark a new chapter in the history of the former St Mary's College site, which closed in 2022.

The campus was later acquired by the Issa Foundation, founded by Blackburn-born businessmen Mohsin Issa and Zuber Issa.

It was briefly used as an events space, before Blackburn with Darwen Council issued a stop notice saying that the former school had not been approved for functions.

According to the application, the current grass pitches suffer from weather-related disruption, restricting the amount of football that can be played on them.

The proposed artificial surfaces would allow significantly greater use throughout the year, including evening matches and training under floodlights.

The scheme includes two 90m by 50m pitches with perimeter fencing, alongside two changing pavilions containing facilities for the teams and showers.

This includes showers, toilets, first aid rooms and storage spaces.

A separate management building would also be constructed.

Developers say earlier proposals for four 4G pitches were dropped following discussions with planning officers and Sport England.

The revised plans focus on two pitches while retaining a grass playing field elsewhere on the site.

In a supporting statement, the applicant argues the development would secure the long-term sporting use of land that has served Blackburn footballers for generations while creating a facility capable of attracting substantially higher levels of participation.