THE 'bite' has been put on the owner of an unauthorised sandwich bar in Nelson to either put in a planning application or face action by Pendle Council.

A former newsagents shop in Brunswick Street has been operating as a sandwich bar since October, selling sandwiches, jacket potatoes, pies and soup, according to a report to the council's Nelson area committee.

Now the owner wants to install a griddle to offer customers burgers, steak and other hot food.

The report said the lawful use of the premises is as a shop, but the issue was whether using it as a sandwich bar constituted a material change of use. The report concluded that because the former shop and house had been sub-divided into a lock-up shop and separate dwelling the owner should have applied for planning permission.

Nearby residents are split over the issue, with some supporting the shop being used again and others complaining that it adds to noise and parking problems in the area.

The committee agreed to ask the owner to apply for planning permission for the change of use within 28 days or council officers would be given the go-ahead to take enforcement action against the business.

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