A VEHICLE repair workshop in Knowle Green has been allowed to continue in business after members of Ribble Valley Council planning committee voted against officer recommendation to force it to close.

But members refused a subsequent application to build an extension to allow the business, in New Row, Knowle Green, to expand.

The firm, owned by Stephen Bates, was set up as a means of diversification when farming work, in which he worked with his father, became difficult.

He and a part-time assistant repair accident damaged vehicles. The site also incorporates panel beating and paint spraying facilities.

Planning officers had recommended refusal of the application and the subsequent issue of an enforcement notice to close the business within six months.

They gave their reasons for this as the proposed use not being essential to the location and that it would detract from the rural character of the area.

The applicant's agent Alan Kinder said the vehicle repair workshop was a 'fledgling business' which was nevertheless thriving and had received no objections from neighbours, the parish council or highways.

He added that if permission was refused and he was forced to find other premises, Mr Bates would not be able to afford a rent and put money into the business.

Coun Frank Dyson said: "Just as village blacksmiths used to service the horse population, now you have a mechanic setting up a business to serve vehicles whether they are agricultural or not. It seems to me to be a perfectly sensible diversification which should be supported." he said.

Coun Jim Rogerson was equally in agreement. He said: "It is clear that small businesses can survive alongside residential areas, though I think we need to have some control over the business."

Members backed the application and asked for a deferral to the next meeting to attach conditions, but refused plans for an extension to the workshop.

At the same time, an application to erect an extension to the workshop to increase the capacity for paint straying and panel beating was regarded by members to be too large. They refused the application for a 135m2 building suggesting the applicant submit plans for a smaller unit at a later date.