Plans to demolish a stables and replace it with a holiday cottage in Darwen have been approved.

The application sought to tear down the stable block at a property in Moorcroft, Astley Bank, and replace it with tourist accommodation.

Mrs S Nylander had applied to demolish the derelict structure, close to Astley Bank Hotel and Thorncliffe care home.

She had told Blackburn with Darwen Council the “the existing stable building is in poor condition and requires demolition”.

She said the site was surrounded by other residential properties but due to the topography of the site would not intrude on neighbours’ privacy.

She also added an old cobble path leading to the site would be retained and the holiday cottage would have two off-street parking spaces.

The cottage will be of dry stone wall effect construction, with windows facing away from other properties to protect privacy, and stonecrop plants on the roof.

It will have two bedrooms, an open-plan living space and two bathrooms.

Two neighbours had objected to the plans, citing loss of privacy and light, noise concerns and impact on protected trees.

One protected tree that has been removed will be replaced with a new tree, while a council arboricultural officer found other trees would not be affected by the new cottage.

A planning officer’s report added: “The proposals involve the replacement of a derelict building that provides virtually no contribution to the aesthetical character of the locality.

“The proposed building would have an irregular footprint and flat green roof. Black cladding would be used in areas together with angled roof overhangs and windows of varying sizes and styles.

“The use of such design features would contribute to the proposed building appearing overtly contemporary in its immediate setting. It would appear somewhat different to the surrounding buildings on that basis.

“However, land levels, existing built form and the presence of tall vegetation would result in the proposed building being practically invisible from the perspective of the public domain.

“Such an outcome would prevent the proposals from causing any harmful impacts upon the street scene or visual amenity of the locality.

“There is a positive presumption in favour of approving the development and there are no material reasons to object to the application.”

The plans were approved with 14 conditions.