A large 19th Century house once used as a residence for older people is to be extended with changes to its 'West Wing'.

Hashim Mohammed has been granted planning permission for the additions to his substantial home 'Hillside' in Billinge End Road, Blackburn.

He can now construct new ground and first-floor extensions to the property, modify its external openings and install a new pitched roof over an existing flat roof at the house's west wing.

A report by planning officer Adam Shaikh recommended approval with three conditions by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

It said: "The application site relates to a large dwelling known as ‘Hillside’ lying to the north side of Billinge End Road within Blackburn.

"The property has been in use as a residential dwelling for a number of years and prior to this it was used as an elderly persons' hostel.

"The application site is of substantial scale and lies in a generous-sized plot with gardens to all sides.

"The property being an early 19th century premises features a number of distinctive projecting gable and vernacular details of the period. A distinctive part single/part double-storey link is present to the west wing.

"Tree Preservation Orders and other mature trees are present in and around the site, however, given the considerable distances between these and the proposals, it is not envisaged there would be any notable conflicts with the trees and therefore the proposals would pose no undue concerns with regard to adjacent tree cover.

"The application site features a distinctive ‘wing’ to the west that comprises part single and part double-storey flat roof elements.

"The proposals to this wing would add a first-floor addition above the flat roof and replace the existing flat roof two-storey element with a pitched roof.

"The works are of significant scale and design, however given the existing design that incorporates a number of varied roof forms with no emphasis on a particular design, the proposed extensions are considered to be an improvement and enhancement to the existing arrangement with no detriment to the character and appearance of the host dwelling and surrounding area.

"The proposals are considered to provide an attractive property that will make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the immediate area and host dwelling."