PLANS to turn a vacant craft shop into a white goods repair shop look set to be rejected — because council officers claim it could harm Oswaldtwistle town centre.

E & D Domestic Appliances, in Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, applied for planning permission to turn the empty Market Street Works building, in Market Street, Church, into a repair shop with ancillary retail.

A variety of white goods would have been sold after being repaired, including washing machines, tumble dryers, fridges and cookers.

But a report set to go before the council’s planning committee on Wednesday said: “The applicant has failed to demonstrate that there are not sequentially preferable sites in the town centre, or edge of centre locations, that could meet the requirements on this business.

“In terms of the site’s planning history, there have been a number of proposals submitted that have sought retail sales from the premises.

“However, these have been tightly restricted on the basis that an open (retail shop) would be contrary to policy, and could harm Oswaldtwistle town centre.”

The building, which formerly housed Dawn Bibby Design Studio, is next door to S&D Tyres and Car Sales, and Top Gear A1 Motorstore, and opposite Howarth Timber.

E & D Domestic Appliances owner Edmund D’Rozario said that his lease is due to expire at his Union Road property, forcing him to move.

He said: “I have looked at all the buldings in Accrington and they are no good to me because there is no parking.

“We need access eight hours a day for our vehicles.

“We get 60 feet-long trucks coming in dropping off appliances, so that’s the only suitable property.

“It’s only five minutes from where I am now and all I’m doing is selling appliances. All the money is in the bank and I could move in tomorrow.”

Planning permission was recently granted to Accrington company, Caxton Printing Company, to turn it into a printing works.

Church ward councillor Joan Smith declined to comment because she is due to sit on the planning committee that will discuss the application formally this week.