Plans have been submitted to change a restaurant into a holiday let and bed and breakfast with eight bedrooms.

Michael Reilly lodged the application with Ribble Valley Council and is seeking permission to part demolish the lower ground floor of Abbots Court in Whalley, currently operating as Food by Breda Murphy, and build a three-storey extension to the rear for a bed and breakfast. 

A planning statement reads: “The site sits to the east of the existing viaduct and is opposite the entrance to Whalley Train Station.

“To the front of the building is an existing parking area, used in association with the restaurant whilst a garden area exists to the rear.

“Residential properties adjoin the site boundary though the existing mature vegetation, screening and topography ensure the restaurant’s operation does not impact residential amenity, moreover it is not thought the proposed alterations will generate any perceptible impact on neighbouring properties.”

There are currently eight car park spaces on site which will be maintained.

The restaurant currently accommodates 70 covers and it is believed the proposed use as a hotel will have less impact on vehicle movements within the area than that of the current use.

The planning statement added: “The proposal is for partial demolition of the rear to allow for a new three-storey rear extension and a change of use from a restaurant into a bed and breakfast/holiday let.

“The proposal consists of: demolition of timber clad, flat roof two-storey element to the rear; removal of extract ducting, external staircases and terraced area; erection of three-storey extension to the rear on the footprint of the demolished area; first floor extension over retained area of the rear of the building; windows installed where external doors removed; internal alterations to the building.

“The proposed extensions and internal alterations will allow for the provision of: eight en-suite bedrooms, including one accessible room; kitchen, lounge, dining and bar areas; ancillary WC provision.

“The proposed extension will be rendered to match elements of the existing building with the proposed roof being hipped to the rear and covered with slate to match the existing.”

There have been two objections and one letter of support so far for the proposals.