A FORMER builder could face a legal battle after carrying out thousands of pounds-worth of renovation work without permission.

And planning enforcement officers at Burnley Council today revealed they may consider prosecuting John Fielding if he refuses to remedy the work at a tanning salon in Church Street, Padiham.

Officials are furious that he has blocked up windows and doorways and painted the building yellow -- despite the fact it is in a conservation area.

Mr Fielding has now threatened to pull out of the town completely if he has to re-do the work to the shop front of the salon. He has successfully run Suntastic for nearly three years. He said the building was in a terrible condition when he first rented it and he has spent thousands of pounds renovating it.

Mr Fielding said: "The building was rotten, the upstairs windows were falling out and pigeons were living in the building. I started off renting a small section downstairs but expanded and bought the property two years' ago, put a new shop front in, a new roof and blocked up windows which were in the front of the building because they were falling out and causing structural problems.

"I got the building sandblasted, but the stone was so porous it leaked water in everywhere so I paid for it have a texture finish put on. We didn't have planning permission for this because I was not aware we needed it."

Mr Fielding completed the work six months ago but has since received a letter from Burnley Council saying it has been carried out in a conservation area and without planning permission.

Planning enforcement officer Karen Morville said the council wanted the windows and doorways which had been blocked up replacing and the rendering removed -- because it was bright yellow and stood out in the conservation area.

"He should have had permission for the new shop front, but that is acceptable. If he had painted the outside a buff or stone colour then we would have probably been able to work around that. We just want the correct works carrying out."

The council said it may consider prosecuting Mr Fielding if he takes no action.