CONCERNS have been raised over potential parking problems which could be caused by plans to create a new multi-tenant house at a former shop.

Proposals have been submitted to Hyndburn Council to convert the former used furniture shop and flat in Oswaldtwistle into a five-bed 'house in multiple occupation (HMO)' and one shop.

That flat at the site on the corner of Mount Pleasant Street and Union Road has been vacant for 12 months while the shop was last used for retail three years ago.

The proposals were submitted by applicant Mark Taylor, with help of planning agent Flanagan Design.

The agent said there is no set target audience with the HMO but did raise concerns about potential parking problems at the site.

A design statement said: "Parking could be an issue if there is a tenant with a vehicle, there are no restrictions on the on street parking on the side streets but there is a one-hour restriction on parking on the main road.

"Parking in this area is tight and competitive for those residents living on Mount Pleasant Street and Chapel Street.

"Businesses on Union Road have difficulty in parking not only for themselves but for visitors because parking on the main road is limited to one-hour."

The plans are a resubmission of an application refused by the council earlier this year for a six-bed HMO which was rejected due to insufficient waste management facilities.

In the recent past the shop has also been used for gun sales and scrap metal dealing, and has most recently been used to store washing machines by the owner.

A design statement on behalf of applicant said: "It is proposed to change the use from a ground floor shop (last used 3 years ago) to a HMO with five ensuite bedrooms and a communal lounge and kitchen area on the ground floor and a separate kitchen on the first floor.

"All the bedrooms are of a generous size with room for a double bed and wardrobe and chair."

Cllr Josh Allen, who represents Immanuel ward on Hyndburn Council, said it was good to see people looking to invest in the area, although he also raised concerns over parking.

He said: "It's great to see people targetting unused building and wanting to bring them back into use, it's much better for the area.

"Parking would be a concern, as it often is in Oswaldtwistle, especially in that area with issues with limited parking.

"There's often conflict going on between residents and shop owners.

"But it's definitely good to see people wanting to invest time and money into Oswaldtwistle."