An end terraced property is to be turned into a grocery store with two one-bed flats above after plans were approved by the council.

A single storey extension to the rear of 80-82 Leeds Road in Nelson was also included in the plans, but was removed after Pendle Council said the extension would reduce the space available in the rear yard for refuse.

The application was submitted by Mr Asjad to Pendle Council in August.

The property comprises two units in an end terrace with an open plan ground floor shop and offices on the first floor.

The proposals are to convert the first floor to two one-bed self-contained flats and retain the ground floor shop, which will be used as a grocery shop.

A planning statement reads: “The premises is situated at the corner of Leeds Road and Hargreaves Street.

“The property is the gable end property of a mid-block of numbers 80 to 102 Leeds Road.

“The properties on the block are either takeaways, retail outlets or residential dwellings. Access to these properties is from Leeds Roads and the rear back street.”

A report to the planning committee on December 6 read: “The end terrace property, no.80 has a shop front to Leeds Road whereas the inner terrace property, no.82 is residential in appearance.

“The adjoining property, no.84 is a hairdressers. It appears that the ground floors of nos. 80 and 82 have been ‘knocked through’ at some point in the past.

“A building regulation approval dating back to 2004 exits for ‘internal shop fitting works’, quoting both addresses, so it is likely that use of the ground floor of no.82 as a shop has taken place for in excess of 10 years.

“The proposal seeks to convert the first floor to two one-bedroomed self-contained flats, retaining the ground floor shop, which would be used as a grocery shop.

“Flat one would have one bedroom in the roof-space.

“Flat two would have one bedroom on the first floor.

“The shop on the ground floor is to remain. This spans the ground floor of both properties. It is noted that the first iteration of the plans included a single storey rear extension, however this would have reduced the yard space and there would have been insufficient space for the storage of refuse bins.

“Amended plans have been received with the extension element removed.”

The original planning statement read: “There is unrestricted on-street parking on near-by streets however it is anticipated the tenants of the flats would not have personal vehicles but use public transport with a bus stop a few hundred yards away from the property.

“There are local shops, supermarkets and other amenities within walking distance of the property and town centre.”

The internal changes proposed are - incorporating two of the flats to the first floor, both having kitchen and lounge in an open plan configuration, a bathroom and one bedroom accessed by a communal stair leading out onto Hargreaves Street.

The flat in number 80 will be over two levels incorporating the bedroom on the second floor level with the lounge/kitchen and bathroom on the first floor level.

The flat in number 82 will be on the first-floor level only.

The planning statement continues: “The ground floor will be used as a grocery shop incorporating an open plan configuration.

“It is believed that the last use of the premises was that of a shop selling leather goods and before that selling of fireplaces.

“There will be two access sites to the shop, one from Leeds Road and a new access from Hargreaves Street.

“The proposed extension will be a single storey element projecting 1900mm with a height of approximately 2600mm.

“There will be a single door access from the ground floor shop to access the rear garden only.

“It is envisaged that the extension external finishes will be that of cream colour render and a single ply rubber roofing membrane.”

No objections were received and the plans were approved by Pendle Council on December 6.