A large kitchen and household store in Blackburn opened in May without the necessary council approval, it has emerged.

The Cooks Villa Catering Centre in Ordnance Street, off Copy Nook, did not have planning permission to convert the wholesale warehouse for retail purposes, documents submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council reveal.

Now Khanjra International Foods Limited has submitted a planning application to the authority to regularise the use of the new store next to its Home Fix DIY and Garden Centre.

The Cooks Villa premises had until 2015 been a garage.

A similar backdated planning application has also been submitted for the neighbouring The Home Fix store took over the premises of the former Khanjra Cash and Carry after it moved.

It seeks full planning permission retrospectively for the conversion of the unit from a food wholesaler to a retail warehouse for the sale of DIY and gardening products.

Cook Villa stocks a range of items including, pots, pans, glasses, gifts, storage and decorative products.

It is believed to be the biggest showroom of its kind in the north of England spread across 27,000 square feet.

Supporting statements submitted with the application say: "Planning consent was granted in 2015 for the conversion of the former vehicle repair unit at the site to a wholesale warehouse alongside a front extension to provide a new entrance.

"Condition 4 of the approval notice sought to restrict the use of the building to trade purposes only, with no retail purposes allowed.

"The unit was then utilised as a wholesale warehouse, however, the unit has been operating as a retail warehouse since May 2024 and therefore formal consent to utilise the site for this purpose is required.

"A wholesaler is considered akin to retail use such as the current proposal.

"The new use will still generate employment opportunities as sales operatives are required to manage the store and warehouse staff to facilitate deliveries.

"In total, Cooks Villa employ six staff currently which is double the number of employees of the previous wholesaler.

"The new business will provide greater choice for local residents in terms of their shopping requirements.

"With Home Fix located next door, visitors could make combined trips to both.

"Given the floorspace requirements of a retail warehouse, it is not considered that there are any suitable units within the town centre.

"The current location is considered wholly appropriate in that the building comprises a double-height space with a large open plan sales area and separate delivery area.

"The building has recently been modernised and has sufficient parking available on-site for both visitors and deliveries.

"Due to the products for sale, it is not considered the use would impact upon the vitality and viability of the town centre.

"There are no material considerations indicating that planning permission should not be granted."