A SUBURBAN 'village' is to get its own microbrewery and bar.

George Brockbank of Patron's Tap has been granted planning permission convert derelict premises of the Guide Village Cantonese Restaurant in School Lane, Blackburn.

The eaterie closed several years ago.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council planners have approved Mr Brockbank's proposal to turn it into 'a ground floor mixed used bar with microbrewery and creation of first floor self-contained flat'.

The proposed bar, close to the junction with Haslingden Road, would hold up to 25 customers and close at 10pm.

A report by planning officer Christian Barton recommending approval with seven conditions says: "The application site is two-storey commercial premises located within Blackburn.

"The site has a vacant restaurant on the ground floor with customer toilets and an ancillary flat above.

"The site is positioned on a main thoroughfare.

"This application involves changing the use of the building to form a bar with a microbrewery on the ground floor and a self-contained flat on the first floor.

"The ground floor would have a bar area to the front of the building with an associated cool room and microbrewery.

"The first floor flat would have two bedrooms with a living area, kitchen/diner and a shower room.

"With brewing odours these tend to be produced when the wort is boiled. A process that takes between 60 to 90 minutes during one batch.

"The proposal is for one brew per week to take place.

"It is possible and probably likely that there will be transient brewing smells in the area on a very short-term basis but this will be for less than two hours a week. The likely impact of this odour will be low.

"A premises alcohol licence will be needed. I would be grateful if an hours restriction could be applied to which would restrict opening hours to 22:00 seven days a week

"The site has some existing parking requirements and those are likely to reduce as many customers are likely to seek alternative modes of transport than a private car.

"Any waste receptacles and/or beer barrels associated with the bar with microbrewery must be stored internally and only be visible on the highway on the day of disposal/collection."

Supporting documents with the application say: "This building has been derelict for a number of years now.

"We are hoping to bring the building back to life by investing time and money in repairing it to a high standard."