Pioneer place plan moves forward

A planning application has been submitted for the £18m Pioneer Place leisure and retail scheme in Burnley by Maple Grove Developments.

The 28,500 sq ft development is being funded by Burnley Council with support from Lancashire County Council.

If the scheme gets the go-ahead work could start towards the end of next year.

Designed by AEW Architects, Pioneer Place will be anchored by an eight-screen Reel Cinema which will relocate from its existing site on Manchester Road.

As well as the cinema, the Curzon Street scheme will include restaurants, bars, shops, a public plaza and a 125-space car park.

Nik Puttnam, senior development manager at Lancashire-based Maple Grove, said: “This planning application marks another significant milestone in the project and the ongoing regeneration of Burnley town centre.

“With the development agreement signed and Reel Cinema committed to the scheme, we are now in a position to move forward with planning and marketing the site.

“The aim is to start construction on the Curzon Street site in late 2020 with the cinema being open for business in early Summer 2022.”

Burnley Council leader Councillor Charlie Briggs said: “Pioneer Place is an important and exciting development for the town. 

“Over 8 million people visited Burnley town centre in 2018, and this scheme will be a further invaluable addition to the town’s overall offer.”

Maple Grove Development is being advised by Smith & Love planning consultants.