Councillors have blocked the creation of two hot food takeaways on the same main road after a warning that approving them could 'open the floodgates' for similar inappropriate proposals.
Burnley Council's development control committee refused the plans for takeaways at 296 and 334 Padiham Road.
The proposals were both put forward by Bhag Singh who was in the public gallery for Thursday night's meeting.
The committee discussed the applications after they were referred to it by councillors who felt that investment in the empty buildings would be a benefit to the area.
Reports by planning officers recommended refusal of both conversions.
Planning officer Joshua Parkinson said the proposals breached the council's policy on the clustering of hot food takeaways in suburban residential areas and they would impact nearby homes detrimentally.
Coal Clough with Deerplay ward Liberal Democrat Cllr Gordon Birtwistle told the meeting the two proposed takeaways were in commercial areas and would bring empty properties back into use.
He was backed by Bank Hall Independent and borough growth boss Cllr Lubna Khan who said the proposed hot food venues 'could be seen as a good thing'.
However, Labour's Cllr Sue Graham, a former planning officer who represents Lanehead ward, said: "There is a reason for this policy on hot food takeaways.
"In my opinion approval would open the floodgates for similar applications."
She was supported by Conservative group leader Cllr Alan Hosker.
The committee voted by nine to four to reject both proposals.
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