A parade of empty shops and a restaurant in a Blackburn suburb is to be transformed into three homes.

Luke Ellis has been granted planning permission for the conversion of the parade in Columbia Way, Beardwood.

He can now create three four-bedroomed houses with the addition of single-storey rear extensions.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has approved his plans with six conditions,

A report by planning officer Jamie Edwards says: "The application site relates to three attached properties positioned on the northern side of Columbia Way, Blackburn.

"The ground floors of the two end units both operated commercially under retail Use Class E with the middle unit forming a restaurant, all of which are now vacant.

"Each unit has first-floor ancillary living accommodation.

"The surrounding area is predominantly residential in character with the A6119 dual carriageway to the immediate north.

"Planning permission is sought for the conversion of the ground floor retail/restaurant uses to form three dwellings.

"The proposals also involve the erection of single-storey rear extensions at each property, as well as external alterations to the frontages.

"Eighteen neighbours were consulted by letter and a site notice was displayed to advertise the application.

"No comments were received during the public consultation process.

"Policy seeks to widen the choice of housing types available in the borough.

"The proposal to convert commercial units to provide three family-styled residential dwellings fits in with the general pattern of development in this surrounding area.

"In addition, the upper floors are already established as residential, and therefore use of the entire buildings for these purposes would align with the above housing policy.

"With no local policy preventing the loss of individual commercial premises, the proposal is acceptable in principle.

"It was apparent on my site visit that given the land level difference and existing timber boundary treatment there would be opportunities for future users of one of the end dwellings to have views into the rear private amenity space of number 84 and vice versa.

"As such, amendments have been secured and a new 1.8m high fence is to be erected along part of the shared party boundary to address these concerns and safeguard privacy. The fence shall be erected before the first occupation and will be secured by condition.

"The proposals will see the replacement of the existing shop fronts with fascia signs to a more typical appearance for residential dwellings comprising of a single window and door opening."