CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a car park into a car sales business have been given the go-ahead.

 

The applicant, known as ‘Mr Shah’ submitted the proposals to build a single story office and a covered car preparation area at the land off Leeds Road, Nelson.

 

Residents objected to the plans on the grounds losing car parking spaces would be detrimental to residents in the local area.

 

The plans, which were recommended for approval and passed at a Pendle Council Nelson Committee meeting, includes using the preparation area for car maintenance work and valeting cars before they are sold.

 

In a letter to the council, Zubeda Begum, of Leeds Road, said: “We believe the proposed development does not provide sufficient parking space to meet their requirement.

 

“In addition to this there is already intense on-street parking pressure on all the side streets, in particular St Philips and Harvey Street, as we have two takeaways ans other businesses which take a lot of the parking space.

 

“I believe the proposal for a car sales office building will take up additional parking spaces in this area, as they have proposed a lack of parking spaces for their customers in their very small plot of land.”

 

Another resident said: “This car showroom development will not help the current problem.

 

“There are issues with traffic control and there’s already vehicles obstructing the highway.

 

“It is a very serious issue that needs to be looked at.”

 

The plans include creating two full-time and two part-time employees.

 

The business is set to open between 8am on 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am and 5pm on Sunday and bank holidays.

 

Within a planning document, a spokesman on behalf of the applicant said: “In recent years (the site) has been used as a car park and is currently being used to store damaged vehicles.

 

“The proposals will bring the site back into a commercial use on what is one of the main access routes into the town centre.”