The Planning Committee of Hyndburn Council met on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, to discuss several planning applications. Key decisions included the approval of a Certificate of Lawful Use for a small HMO on Maden Street, the approval of amendments to a warehouse development at Altham Business Park, the endorsement of a drive-thru coffee shop in Great Harwood, and the approval of a new M&S Food store at Frontier Park despite objections.

Certificate of Lawful Use for 104 Maden Street

Mr Simon Prideaux, Chief Planning and Transportation Officer, presented an application for a Certificate of Lawful Development for the proposed change of use of a two-bedroom mid-terrace dwelling house at 104 Maden Street, Church, BB5 4JA. The application, requested by Councillor Loraine Cox, sought to convert the property from a residential dwelling (Use Class C3) to a small House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) for up to four single occupants (Use Class C4).

Despite a petition signed by 13 residents, the committee found the application lawful under Section 192 (2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990¹. The Certificate of Lawful Use was approved.

Amendments to Warehouse Development at Altham Business Park

Mr Adam Birkett, Planning Manager, presented an application to vary conditions of a previously approved warehouse development at Altham Business Park, Altham Lane, Altham, BB5 5UR. The application, submitted under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990², proposed reducing the building footprint to 6,865 sqm, revising servicing and car parking arrangements, and amending the building design and materials.

The committee discussed the development's location in the Green Belt but concluded that the economic benefits constituted very special circumstances. The application was approved, subject to conditions and potential modifications by the Chief Planning and Transportation Officer.

Drive-Thru Coffee Shop at Heys Lane

Mr Simon Prideaux also presented an application for the erection of a drive-thru coffee shop, to be occupied by Starbucks, at 1 Heys Lane, Great Harwood, BB6 7UA. The site, situated across from the Aldi Supermarket Store, would share access and parking with the supermarket.

Despite public objections, the committee found that a site sequential assessment had satisfactorily identified no suitable town centre or edge-of-town centre sites. The application was approved with conditions, including operating hours from 6 am to 10 pm, and potential modifications by the Chief Transportation Officer.

New M&S Food Store at Frontier Park

Mr Adam Birkett presented an application for a new M&S Food retail store at Frontier Park, Frontier Avenue/Land north of Blackburn Road, Rishton, BB1 3AL. The proposed store would replace the M&S store in Blackburn town centre, which is set to close.

Despite two letters of objection and advice from a retail planning consultant suggesting alternative sites in Blackburn, the committee approved the application. They cited the economic benefits and job relocations as outweighing the sequential test outcome. The Chief Planning and Transportation Officer was given delegated power to draft conditions for the approval.