PLANS to open a takeaway in a Blackburn town centre conservation area have been rejected.

An application by Zainul Chandia was lodged with Blackburn with Darwen Council proposing to turn newsagents Northgate News into a takeaway.

But borough planning bosses said allowing the development to go ahead would have a negative effect on the Northgate conservation area where developments have to adhere to strict rules.

It had been proposed the takeaway would be open from 8am to 11pm on Monday to Saturday and 9am to 10pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Planning officer Rebecca Halliwell said: “The block for the purpose of this assessment along the western side of Northgate comprising numbers 11-27 would consist of four uses due to units being assimilated together for one sole use.

“One unit is a charity shop while the other is a pound shop, which both fall within the A1 retail use. The unit attached to 15 Northgate is occupied as a café known as The Refreshment Bar which has a class use of A3.

“There are no other takeaway units within the immediate vicinity along Northgate.

“Therefore it is considered that the proposed change of use would not complement the primary shopping function of the frontage nor would it contribute to the vitality of viability of the area.

“The principle of the development is considered not acceptable as insufficient details have been submitted to support an exceptional circumstance to allow the creation of a takeaway in the defined Northgate area.

“The site is located within 400m of Blackburn College but no health assessment has been submitted in support of the application.

“Further to this the hours of opening are during the school day and would exacerbate the relationship of the proposed takeaway and the college.

“No refuse or bin storage provision has been submitted in support of the application. There is also no rear access to a yard area," the planning officer added.

“No odour/noise assessment has been submitted alongside the application. Therefore it is unclear as to whether the proposed flue will prove adequate to cater for the required level of extraction.”