Proposals to convert a former Blackburn missionary church into a new shop and flat have been approved at the second attempt.

In January the scheme for the three-storey Gospel Hall in Victoria Street, Shear Brow, was rejected by planners over fears it could lead to the building becoming bedsits.

In August Mohamed Riaz Patel made a second planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the transformation of the building into a mixed-use, comprising retail, goods production and storage, and one self-contained flat.

In the application he addressed the previous concerns of planners the conversion could lead to the creation of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) containing bedsits.

He also warned that failure to grant permission for the proposal would lead to the premises in the Richmond Terrace Conservation Area continuing to decline.

Now Blackburn with Darwen Council has approved his revised plan with 16 conditions despite one objection.

A planning officer's report said: "The main frontage is on the east side of the building, fronting Victoria Street.

"This application seeks planning permission for a change of use of the former gospel hall (presently vacant) to a mixed-use."

It will comprise of: 

  • Ground floor: one retail unit fronting Victoria Street, goods production and kitchen preparation /washing area;
  • First floor: goods storage area, cake decorating room, and ancillary staff facilities; and
  • Second floor: ancillary residential accommodation (one family unit) comprising four bedrooms, (including one en-suite master bedroom), two bathrooms, kitchen, dining room/living room, pantry and utility room.

The report adds: "External alterations and extensions are also proposed.

"These include the installation of a new shop front including roller shutter; erection of side extensions; and dormer to side.

"The site comprises the former Gospel Hall that has been vacant and falling into disrepair for over 10 years.

"The introduction of a ground floor retail unit with the shop frontage on Victoria Street is in accordance with town centre policy.

"The proposal would bring this long-vacant property back into use and would contribute positively towards the vitality of the town centre.

"The ancillary living accommodation on the second floor would be an appropriate type/density,

"The applicant asserts that the proposed second-floor flat would be a single residential unit, to be occupied solely by the growing family of the ground floor shop and/or adjacent Meena Baker.

"Under the previous refusal, the council had genuine concerns that the property would be used as a HMO.

"However the amended internal layout, with fewer bedrooms and more shared living areas now looks much more like a single residential use rather than a HMO."