Councillors have been recommended to reject a backdated planning application for the continued use of the lower ground floor and yard of a domestic home as a motor repair garage.

Hyndburn Council's planning committee on Wednesday has been told by officers the proposal for the house in Burnley Road, Accrington, is 'out of place in the residential area' and is having an adverse impact on neighbours.

Mr T McVicker is seeking to retain the use of part of the property, near Accrington Cemetery, as a vehicle repair business, which has been operating since September 2021.

The committee is considering the application at the request of its chair Cllr Dave Parkins.

It has generated three objections from nearby householders on the following grounds:

  • it is a commercial garage in a residential area,
  • noise nuisance,
  • disturbance,
  • there is a hazard from frequent traffic movements sometimes,
  • exhaust fumes,
  • late night arrival of vehicles recovered on break-down trucks,
  • parking of vehicles,
  • and the blocking of driveways.

A planning officer's report says: "The application dwellinghouse fronts the north side of Burnley Road (A679).

"Across Whitewell Road is a short residential terrace, beyond which is the cemetery.

"The building appears as a substantial single-storey dwelling at the front, however, due to the topography, it has a lower ground floor to the rear.

"The present application is to regularise the use of two of the lower ground floor garages and the rear forecourt area as a commercial garage.

"The applicant’s planning statement describes the use as follows: 'The applicant uses this area at the rear for his business, with two of the three available garage bays contain all of his equipment'.

"'His working hours are generally 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, with some occasional weekend working'.

"The site was visited on September 9.

"This is a retrospective application with the change of use having been carried out since September 2021.

"The car repair garage is out of place in the residential area.

"It adversely affects the amenities of the area and is likely to continue to do so in an unacceptable way even if it is restricted by condition.

"The application should be refused by reason of its location in a residential area and the impacts of its activities (including noise and fumes from car repairs and the movement and parking of vehicles) the continued use of the car repair garage would adversely affect the residential amenities and living conditions of nearby residents."