Cathedral Quarter Masterplan, Blackburn

As Cathedral Architect at Blackburn, James Sanderson has led the £34m regeneration masterplan of a post-industrial town, centred around the Cathedral to form a lively precinct. The development has increased investment in Blackburn, enhanced leisure and cultural facilities as well as bringing new commercial opportunities to the area.

The masterplan includes accommodation for the Cathedral’s clergy and organ scholars, establishing a new city centre community which is believed to be the first English Cathedral cloister to be built in 500 years. In addition to this, the masterplan includes office space, a library, hotel accommodation, restaurants, bars and gardens. BDP carried out the design of the office building whilst Purcell were integral to delivering the hotel and Cathedral Court buildings.

Work is expected to continue with Phase 2 of the development with further residential accommodation planned for the area.

Awards: Finalist in RICS Project of the Year 2017, North West Region

Publications: Architect’s Journal, Blackburn Cathedral, Lancashire Telegraph, Visit Lancashire

See below for Blackburn Cathedral’s Site Eye video showing the time-lapse construction of the masterplan

https://vimeo.com/user25873713/review/174643134/18c1340c3c