The redevelopment of an MOT and car repair garage on the outskirts of a town centre to include a new homeware store has come to a shuddering halt.

Pervaiz Akhtar's proposal for the premises in Wensley Road, Blackburn, has been refused after planners ruled it was in the wrong place.

The rejection followed two objections from nearby residents.

Mr Akhtar had applied to Blackburn with Darwen council for a change of use from MOT and car repair garage to a mixed-use car repair garage and homeware store including new shop fronts and installation of an external staircase.

A report recommending refusal by planning officer Martin Kenny says: "The proposal relates to an existing motor vehicle repair / MOT service station use positioned on the south side of Wensley road and within an area designated as a secondary employment site.

"The site is bounded to the west by the car park of the Lion Hotel, to the south by commercial uses including a recycling centre and to the north by residential properties.

"Planning permission is sought for a change of use of three-quarters of the ground floor and the whole of the upper floor to a retail shop.

"The proposal also includes alterations to the front elevation to replace the existing roller shutter bay entrances with new display windows, and a steel fire escape staircase to the rear of the building.

"Two objections have been received and are summarised as traffic problems, including noise, and existing retail uses in the locality.

"The proposal would amount to a stand-alone retail use as it is not located within or in close proximity to an existing group of local shops.

"Furthermore, the presence of existing retail uses are noted within 500 metres of the site – these include units on Wensley Road, Oakenhurst Road and Johnstone Street.

"Public objections received from the occupants of properties on Lawrence Street cite concerns including noise and disturbance.

"The proposal is inconsistent with the council’s retail policy.

"Insufficient information has been provided to fully appraise the highway impacts of the development."

The decision notice's reasons for refusal are:

  • the proposal is not within or associated with a defined centre and by virtue of the presence of existing vacant retail units within the locality it fails to meet the requirements of policy; and
  • despite written requests, insufficient information has been provided to allow a detailed assessment of the highway impacts of the proposed development.