PLANS to extend an adult respite centre have been approved.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s application to extend the six-bedroom home in St Aidan’s Avenue in Mill Hill, Blackburn, was passed by planning committee members.

The extension is for a living room at the centre, which caters for adults with complex behavioural and physical needs, including those with mental health needs who are not sectioned under the mental health act.

The centre operates as the council’s breaks service, providing a guesthouse to enable people who have a learning disability to enjoy respite.

It is also proposed to create an off-street parking space off Spring Bank Close, replace metal fencing and extending a wall in its place, and build new fencing/wall within the grounds to separate the garden to suit service users.

Planning manager Gavin Prescott told members: “It is a minor extension of the lounge for the centre and they are also widening the access to make it easier for vehicles to get in."

Committee chairman, Cllr Dave Smith, said: “On the site visit we saw it was quite secluded. It is a nice space and this will be a great addition.”