A Blackburn garage owner can now add an upper floor to his premises in an 'untidy' area of the town centre to store tyres.

Iftakhar Ahmed has been given approval to create the extension to his Sharples Street MOT and Repairs Garage.

His planning application for the new upper-storey for tyre storage has been granted by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

A report by planning officer Adam Shaikh says: "The application site lies on the north-east side of Sharples Street.

"The front of the site contains a two metre high painted blockwork wall, beyond this is a vehicle parking area with a second blockwork wall and large solid metal gate forming the edge of a compound area.

"The site comprises of an uncompleted single-storey unit that is in association with the adjoining MOT centre/garage to the east known as Sharples Street MOT Centre.

"Planning permission is sought for the creation of a first floor above the existing ground floor to form a storage area for tyres.

"In adding the first floor the previous ‘compound area’ will effectively become the ground floor of the building.

"The plans indicate an internal link to the adjoining MOT garage. The extension is to be constructed with blockwork walling, with painted render finish and metal clad roofing.

"The proposal would result in the site being used for storage of tyres in conjunction with the adjoining garage to ensure the site is retained for employment.

"The proposal would have no greater impact upon nearby residential amenity - i.e. noise etc - than that of the existing units within the area "The area surrounding the site contains storage, light industrial and industrial uses.

"A high proportion of the uses relate to the motor trade, including scrap and salvage yards.

"The surrounding buildings are commonly two-storey, with the notable exception of the adjoining MOT garage, which is a generously proportioned one-storey building.

"The general appearance of the area is untidy, with little aesthetic value within the buildings.

"The majority of the surrounding uses have no dedicated parking, as well as loading/unloading on the highway.

"The applicant’s site and the adjoined MOT garage are exceptions providing hardstanding aprons for repair and parking upon."