Blackburn hotel approved after man behind it pulls out

Waqas Mirza, of The Hotel Group Blackburn, opened The Queens Apart'Hotel next to Blackburn Library in Town Hall Street in January, but then had to close it as it lacked the necessary planning permission.

He applied for retrospective approval for the conversion which has now been granted.

In the meantime, Mr Mirza has withdrawn from the project, which would have had six apartments and a sports bar on the ground floor.

Blackburn with Darwen Council granted the retrospective planning permission with three conditions, despite neighbours' concerns and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service action regarding fire safety breaches.

The hotel reception (Image: Nq)

Mr Mirza - who operates two other similar ventures in Blackburn town centre - The King's Hotel in King Street, and the Hotel Royal in Simmons Street - said: "I myself am no longer involved with the Town Hall Street Queens Apart'Hotel.

"My company terminated our lease on the property due to unforeseen circumstances.

"The owner will be continuing the property as a hotel and will be operating it independently."

A report by senior planner Christian Barton said: "The application site is a four-storey commercial building within Blackburn town centre and the Northgate Conservation Area.

"A hotel, and subsequently a bar, have been operated from there previously.

"Recent works have been undertaken to convert the building into a hotel.

It retains original feautres (Image: Nq)

"Since the site visit the front signage has been removed and the hotel is reported to be currently unused.

"This application seeks retrospective consent to use the building as a hotel.

"A ‘sports bar’, office and ancillary functions would be operated from the ground floor."

Public objections were on the grounds of a negative effect on local businesses, and the potential of anti-social behaviour rising as a result.

Mr Barton added: "Should any wider uses be operated that do not benefit from planning consent then they would be subject to formal enforcement action.

"Policy prioritises Blackburn town centre for new main town centre uses, which a hotel falls within.

"In simple terms, hotels attract people to town centres through providing accommodation for visitors, which provides subsequent benefits for the local economy.

"Furthermore, the proposals would introduce a use within a long-standing vacant building.

"The site occupies a prominent position within the conservation area and town centre.

"Therefore, any improvements to its appearance are welcomed.

"The site has been subject to ongoing fire safety concerns following being opened as a hotel unlawfully earlier in the year.

"Lancashire Fire and Rescue have served notice on the owner regarding fire safety breaches. Failure to comply with the notice would result in the owners being prosecuted."

Both Mr Mirza's other ventures - the Kings Hotel and Hotel Royal - required him to obtain backdated planning permission, the latter after an appeal to the government's planning inspectorate.