A township is to get a new job-creating coffee shop and drive-thru after it passed the planning test.

Councillors have approved the scheme for a Starbucks in Heys Lane, Great Harwood, despite 13 objections from nearby households.

The American coffee chain can now use the long-term vacant 'derelict' brownfield site next to an Aldi supermarket for the development, which will create 20 to 25 jobs.

The decision by Hyndburn Planning Committee on Wednesday was taken despite local objections, which included claims the introduction of a Starbucks in a small town with a ‘local grown’ coffee shop is unnecessary, and that the proposed café will affect local businesses and result in job losses.

They also include claims the development would worsen local litter problems, create traffic disruption in Great Harwood, and that in a cost of living crisis most families can’t afford the prices at Starbucks.

Mathew Gray, from applicant Camerson Midlands Limited, told the meeting: "Starbucks feel the site is ideal for Great Harwood.

"It is long-term vacant. It will create future employment and provide new electric vehicle charging points."

Labour's Cllr Scott Brerton, who represents Great Harwood's Overton ward, backed the proposal and said he did not want to see the site used for a food-led development in the future, which could damage existing businesses in the township centre.

Baxenden Conservative Cllr Terry Hurn said: "I think we endorse this.

"It's going to improve the area and above all, it is going to create employment.

"I can't see any reason not to approve this."

The 'contemporary' single-storey drive-thru was approved with 20 conditions.

It will be targeted towards passing motorists.

The development will remove 34 existing car parking spaces from the total of 126 spaces of the neighbouring Aldi, with the provision of 47 replacement parking spaces with an additional two disabled spaces and six electric vehicle charging bays.

A planning officer's report told councillors: "Officers agreed with the applicant’s conclusion that there is no suitable, more preferable site within or at the edge of the Great Harwood town centre.

"It is considered the loss of a small area of vacant brownfield site will not result in the loss of employment floor space.

"The building will be a visual improvement on the existing derelict site."