Vacant offices in a Lancashire town centre conservation area earmarked for a new restaurant

Zeshan Khan wants to convert 72 Darwen Street, Blackburn, into an eaterie employing three staff.

The site had previously been a Riding Insurance office.

Mr Khan applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the change of use of former offices to a restaurant and for the installation of a 500 millimetre diameter extraction flue pipe to the rear of the premises.

The planning application notes that only gambling shops, vape shops, restaurants and food to eat on the go premises appear to do well currently, with the applicant choosing to open the latter.

Supporting statements submitted with the application say: “The application address is a mid-terraced former insurance office and sited within the Darwen Street Conservation Area and within a parade of other retail shops and hot food takeaways.

“There is a new restaurant opening immediately next door under the name of Beef King.

“The property currently lies vacant but operated as an insurance office trading under the name of Riding Insurance.

“With the demise of such retail shops and offices through-out small towns due to advent of on-line shopping the property was sold.

“Due to high demand the only businesses that seem to be doing well are either gambling, vape shops, or food to eat on the go, or restaurants.

“The owners are now seeking to change the use of the premises to a restaurant which will allow them allow them to open and operate a business and employ three staff and bring the property back property back into use.

“The commercial unit has been vacant for some time and the proposed development would create an active frontage and generate footfall in the town centre.

“The application also includes the installation of a flue vent which will be taken through the roof towards the rear of the premises to avoid any harm to the aesthetics of the property or to the conservation area.

“The business will operate from 16:00 – 23:00hrs as to avoid any harm to any nearby education establishments, or any nearby residents.

“The property lies within the Darwen Street Conservation Area, with free parking facilities surrounding the site.

“The proposal will have a positive impact on the vitality and viability of this local area and retain the commercial status of the premises.

“The development will be of a high standard into the Darwen Street area.

“It has clearly been demonstrated that the use would be acceptable in principle and would not result in negative highways implications or amenity impacts.

“The applicant is eager to bring forward a scheme which puts the vacant building to effective use.”