PART of a health centre in an East Lancashire township is to be turned into a nursery and pre-school.

Reefa Shah, of Accrington-based Play & Learn Childcare, has been given permission to convert half of the building at 78a High Street, Rishton.

The remainder of the building will remain in use as a medical centre.

The part of the complex being converted was last used by the Limitless Care Group for community outreach for children and adults with statements of additional need and disability until last year.

Hyndburn Council, which owns the building, has granted a Lawful Development Certificate for its use as a nursery/preschool facility, plus internal refurbishment works such as full redecoration, loose and fitted furniture installation.

New external signage will replace the existing signage.

A planning officer's report recommending approval says: "The site comprises half of a purpose-built medical centre constructed approximately 25 years ago.

"The half that is the subject of this Lawful Development Certificate is unused presently, with its last use described within the application as ‘health facility'.

"The application states that the use ceased in 2023.

"The remaining half (i.e. not that the subject of this application) remains in active use as a medical centre.

"In short, 78A High St, Rishton was used and occupied as a medical clinic.

"The internal refurbishment works would not ordinarily require planning permission, therefore a Section 192 Certificate can be issued in respect of operational development.

"The replacement external signage is possibly ‘Class 5’ advertisements that will benefit from deemed consent, however I am unable to ascertain due to lack of information.

"It is noted that the submitted elevations do contain a note to state that details will form part of a separate advertisement consent application.

"The Local Planning Authority is satisfied that no material change of use is suggested, nor is operational development suggested that would require planning permission.

"Therefore a Certificate of Lawful Use can be issued for the following reasons: the proposed change from a medical clinic to a nursery/preschool facility is not taken to involve development by virtue of both uses falling within Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) and the proposed internal alterations to the building do not constitute ‘development’ as set out in Section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act."