A CATTERY is set to open in Darwen after plans for the operation were approved by council planning officers.

An application was submitted to convert a block of stables at Holden Road Farm, off Tockholes Road, into a cattery, and the plans have now been given the green light.

At the moment there are seven units of stables at the farm which are used for breeding horses, but as a result of the application three of these will be turned into a cattery.

A spokesman for the planning agents said: "My client proposed 11 cat pens with most clients booking a one or two week period.

"One week for five cats would mean 20 site movements. Each day this would give 2.8 site movements.

"Two weeks for six cats would mean 24 site movements. Each day this would give 1.7 site movements, so the average site movements per day would be 4.5.

"It is noted that some days would be more popular than others but generally they should be spread evenly throughout the week.

"My client also proposed to offer a collection and home delivery service which would reduce the above site movements considerably. My clients small van would be used for this purpose."

The approved plans restrict the business to 11 cat pens and require access improvements to the junction with Tockholes Road.