Former Lancashire chapel to get new lease of life in bid for large new corner shop
A former chapel last used as a hardware shop can be converted into a large convenience store.
Usman Zubair has been given a Lawful Development Certificate to go ahead with the change at the former Barnes Tool Warehouse premises in Rosegrove, Burnley.
A planning officer’s report says: “The property (a former chapel) is a detached stone-built building located on Gannow Lane, Rosegrove, with White Street to the side, Harling Street to the rear and a pair of semi-detached houses on the other side adjacent to the attached car park (on the site of the former cinema).
“Rosegrove mainly consists of residential properties with a number of retail uses and some commercial/industrial uses further along Gannow Lane. The proposed use is retail.
“The planning merits are not under consideration.
“To enable the Lawful Development Certificate to be granted, the only relevant consideration is whether or not the proposed use would be lawful.
“The submitted statement details the current use of the building.
“The applicant states ‘the property comprises an open plan retail space of 261.35 square metres with ancillary offices, male and female toilets, staff room, and a mezzanine floor.
“’The building is of insulated trussed roof construction and has been occupied by a tool shop / hardware store for well over a decade.
“’Externally there is a gated yard providing a loading area and customer car parking’.
“It is further stated that ‘it is essentially a store aimed at the general public, rather than a ‘trade-only’ counter.
“Moreover, it is not considered to fall within Class B8 (Storage & Distribution) as the majority of the floor space and activity is dedicated to retail (DIY shop) not the storage and wholesale trade / workshop’.
“The planning application approved in 1987 was for the change of use from a former chapel to a warehouse with a retail shop (retail approximately 15 per cent) and the formation of a car park.
“The applicant states that the current use (and for at least the last decade) is as a retail store selling DIY products.
“Without any evidence to disprove that the building has been in use as mainly a retail store, it is considered that the information submitted should be considered to be correct and that the approved use in 1987 as mainly a warehouse with a 15 per cent retail element has changed over the years with the current owner using the building mainly as a retail store for over a decade.
“The Lawful Development Certificate for a proposed retail use can be granted.”