A MARRIAGE guidance charity and the council are to work together to find the group a new HQ.

Relate's proposal to transform a house in Belle View Terrace, Bury, into its new headquarters has been rejected by planning chiefs.

In recommending refusal of the scheme the members of the planning control sub-committee have urged the council's own estates department to work with Relate to help them find a suitable town centre office.

Belle View Terrace and Manchester Road are identified in the Unitary Development Plan as areas of the town centre where "the change of use from residential to other uses will not be supported." The local authority is keen to keep both streets for residential use only. A similar planning proposal to transform 46 Manchester Road, Bury, into office accommodation was also rejected on the same grounds during Tuesday night's meeting.

Relate's manager Joyce Siddall expressed her disappointment at the decision but welcomed the chance to work with Bury Council in seeking new accommodation.

She said: "The property in Belle View Terrace was ideal. It was in the right location and was the right shape and size for our operation.

"Now, we are back to square one and we have to have to look for somewhere else within the town centre, although we have been assured of the local authority's help in this matter."

Relate has been given nearly £80,000 by the National Lottery to buy a town centre property although they are keen to find somewhere secluded but accessible.

"We don't want somewhere central because it would not be exactly discrete," said Joyce. "People are wary of coming to us and our services are strictly confidential."

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