CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a taxi booking office opposite Burnley bus station have been accepted.

It was decided at a recent Burnley Council planning meeting that the former takeaway premises near the corner of Croft Street and Red Lion Street would be used as a taxi base.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The premises include would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and bank holidays.

The plans would generate six full-time drivers, six part-time drivers and two full-time operators.

The taxi office received mixed opinions after a petition of 27 hackney driver signatures was received by the council opposing the plans.

Reasons for objection included a private hire booking office already situated on Croft Street and the lack of 24 hour CCTV coverage on site.

In a letter to the council, a Hackney Drivers Association Ltd spokesman said: “We objected to the proposal on the basis that the application site is near a junction and there is regular traffic of buses, hackney vehicles, taxis and other private vehicle users.

“Therefore taking account of busy traffic flow throughout the day this will have impact on public safety.”

There was also concerns about picking up fares from outside the office on double yellow lines.

However the council received a petition of 74 signatures from residents and a petition of 24 bus driver signatures in support of the taxi office.

Reasons in support of plans include making use of land that has been vacant for a decade.

Councillor Shah Hussain, who represents the area on the borough council, said: “I appreciate that the space does need to be used and it shouldn’t be left empty, but is there a need for more cab drivers?

“I made my feelings clear to the council that it would have an affect on the taxi drivers nearby.

“The needs of the market are already being met and I believe that an influx in drivers could have an affect on those already in the business.”

On behalf on applicant Ifraz Ahmet, of Larch Street, Nelson, planning agent Shams-Ul Alam said in a statement: “The existing building has stood empty for over 10 years.

“Current planning policies encourage and support derelict buildings being brought back into beneficial use.”