Backdated planning permission for the conversion of a Whalley Range shop into a hot food takeaway has been applied for. Farman Ahmed has asked Blackburn with Darwen Council for retrospective approval of the move.
He has already turned the premises at 61 Whalley New Road from a retail unit into a hot food takeaway. A single storey-rear extension and a new shopfront has also been added.
A Design and Access statement submitted with the application said the change would “make better use” of the unit. It also said it would “maximise the potential of the site for the future”.
The document said: “The property sits within an established shopping area within Whalley Range area where there is a diverse mix of businesses types and residents in the area. There are numerous properties with residential accommodation and flats above commercial premises. There is no off street parking within the site.
“The application relates to a retrospective planning application for an existing building which was used as a retail unit with ancillary flat accommodation above. The proposal now has converted the ground floor unit to a hot food takeaway with ancillary flat accommodation as the previous arrangement.
“The flat is and always will be used by the owner of the business and will not be used for independent tenants. The applicant has renewed the shopfront so it was replaced with the existing arrangement as previous. Therefore, it was replaced to modernise the property only.
“We would like the support of the local authority for this application as it would: make better use of this commercial unit on this prominent position; create a improved residential accommodation above which is in line with government targets of creating new homes; help this business where they have created yet another branch to the brand in the North West; and maximise the potential of the site for the future.”
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