THE owner of a Burnley food takeaway has said the livelihood of his family could be threatened after councillors scuppered plans for him to relocate his business.

Father-of-three Mohammed Munir today blasted Burnley Council for not doing enough to help businesses after the development control committee refused planning permission for him to open a shop in Parliament Street.

Mr Munir, 40, wanted to move his Chilli Master takeaway from Oxford Road to a property which was previously a shop.

He is having to move because his current premises are earmarked for demolition under the Government's housing revamp initiative Elevate, which is being delivered by Burnley Council.

If Mr Munir did not move he could be served with a compulsory purchase order (CPO).

But despite having the backing of Rosehill with Burnley Wood ward councillors Colette Bailey, Janice Swainston and Denis Otter and nearly 400 customers, Mr Munir was blocked from moving his business.

It was the first application to the council by a business looking to move because of the Elevate scheme.

Under the programme compensation is given to the owners of properties to be demolished. However, where help is offered for tenants to find new housing, small business owners are not assisted in finding new premises.

Mr Munir, who is married to Sughra Bibi, 38, and has two sons, Saghir Munir, 20 and Jangir Munir, 13 and a daughter Shawnela Munir, 20, said he is now having to pay a loan on an empty shop.

He said: "This is threatening my livelihood and my family's. The council need to do something for businesses who have to move under Elevate. It's my livelihood and I have nowhere else to go."

Councillors refused the application because the shop which Mr Munir bought before submitting planning permission was in a terraced block with houses to both sides and to the rear, the amount of noise it would generate at night and the impact it would have on traffic and parking problems.

Mr Munir said he was baffled at the decision because there were other businesses on the street - including foot outlets.

He added: "Our business is established in Burnley Wood and needs to remain in Burnley Wood."

Coun Bailey said: "The councillors in the area would advocate a more direct link between businesses that are going to be served with a CPO, Elevate and planning officers at a very early stage so businesses receive help in relocating."

A council spokesman said the authority was helping larger companies relocate as hundreds of people depend on them for jobs.

He added in previous clearance areas most businesses had managed their own relocation or taken compensation and closed.

He said: "Smaller businesses are eligible for market value compensation for their commercial premises and, in some instances, additional compensation for loss of trade.

"The business in question is the only business that has indicated that there may be a problem with their relocation from Oxford Street. We are investigating what additional support is needed."