A proposal to turn a family house into bedsit accommodation is to be debated by councillors.

Carly Wilson has applied to Hyndburn Council to convert the property in Maden Street, Church, into a house of multiple occupation (HMO).

It will now be decided by the authority's planning committee on Wednesday after a referral from local councillor Loraine Cox.

Miss Wilson's plan would see the two-bedroom mid-terrace property become a four-bedroom HMO with up to four single occupants.

A report to Wednesday's meeting says: "This is an application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for the proposed change of use.

"The effect of the application is that the council is asked to confirm or otherwise whether the proposed change of use would be in accordance with planning law.

"The report finds that it would be lawful and as such a certificate be issued.

"The application relates to a two-storey mid-terrace house.

"The onus is firmly on the applicant to demonstrate on the balance of probabilities that the proposed development would be lawful.

"The applicant seeks certification that the building is a house that can be lawfully used as a four-bed house in multiple occupation thereby not requiring the planning permission of the council.

"The applicant states that the present lawful use of the premises is within Class C3. There is no entry in the planning register indicating a history of use for any other purpose.

"External inspection of the premises supports, by its external appearance and characteristics, the conclusion that it is a house sufficiently for the balance of probability test applicable to Certificates of Lawful Use.

"The application describes the proposed use as a four-bed house in multiple occupation within Class C4 and shows in the supporting statement the house laid out to provide four bedrooms, a dining kitchen, a WC, and a bathroom/WC.

"The conclusion is that the present use is within Class C3 and the proposed use would be within Class C4 and the proposed change of use would be granted by the General Permitted Development Order.

"The recommendation that a Certificate of Lawful Use be granted is made on that basis."