RESIDENTS who oppose plans for a new convienence store in Blackburn got a second victory under their belt when a planning application was deferred.

Planning and highways councillors put off an application to change the Oak Tree Pub, Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, for retail use as a 3,000sq ft Co-op store.

This followed an initial go-ahead given by the licensing committee earlier this month when they granted Co-op bosses a licence sell alcohol in the store.

Prior to this plans to demolish the existing building were rejected by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Th council have said they require extra time to study recently submitted objections.

Although the company have yet to purchase the property, residents have succeeded, for now, in their plans to fight planning applications lodged to alter the building to transform it into a shop.

Colin Rigby, Conservative councillor, said: "Residents think it should be a change of use planning application, to change the use from a hotel to a store. They have produced a letter which documents the planning history surrounding the pub. It states that under the rural borough of Blackburn, planning was granted in 1961 for the pub to be used as a hotel, boarding or guest house.

"I think a change of use would be required to convert the pub into a shop."

Councillor Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration for the council, said: "The planning application for the former Oak Tree Public House, which was for physical changes to the building only, was deferred to allow extra time for the council to study recently submitted objections from local people.

"The unaltered plans are likely to go before the January Planning and Highways Committee."