PLANNERS are putting the brakes on a request to turn a sandwich bar into a taxi booking office.

The sandwich bar is in a terrace of shops on Rochdale Road, Britannia, Bacup. Some of the shops have flats above them and planning officials are concerned that residents could be disturbed by noise and traffic late at night.

Four families living on Rochdale Road have objected to the plan and Rossendale Council has received a 13-signature petition from people living on nearby Nelson Street.

The applicants say the premises will be used only as a booking office for Hackney cabs which will rarely park outside.

But planning officials are advising the council's planning sub-committee that the business is expected to operate on a 24-hour basis and taxis are bound to visit the premises at some time.

Licensing rules mean the office will have to provide a customer reception point and waiting area.

Planners say in a report to the sub-committee: "Despite its suburban location, it could be anticipated that some customers would wish to wait on the premises and this could generate traffic at unsocial hours."

They are advising councillors to veto the application on the grounds of noise nuisance and loss of amenity.

They say it is also contrary to the Rossendale District Local Plan which aims to protect convenience shopping.

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