PLANNING bosses have warned Euro Garages the firm is carrying on at its own risk building a new four-storey headquarters without proper permission.

The firm is building its' new European headquarters in Blackburn and the company, founded by brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa in 2001, was granted planning permission for a three-storey HQ fronting onto Fishmoor Reservoir off Haslingden Road in November last year.

But now the proposals for the multi-million pound development have been changed to include a fourth floor, with construction work on the project already under way.

According to documents submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council as part of a revised planning application, the proposals have been extended to four storeys to allow for additional space for meeting and conferencing rooms.

Gavin Prescott, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning manager, said: "There is a current planning application being considered for a new four storey office building. 

"The developers have been informed they are carrying on at their own risk until the application is determined by the planning committee. 

"We are continuing to monitor the site."

The revised application cannot be determined until November 27 at the earliest because Highways England has said additional information is required from the developers to assess the impact on junction five around the M65 corridor.

A design and access statement compiled by Blackburn-based architects Campbell Driver Partnership said: “The scale of the office building was a key consideration in design development.

“To attain the level accommodation required on site, the preferred parking levels and the proposal for a four-storey building is considered a necessity.

“With this in mind the impact of its presence next to the reservoir and neighbouring properties was then considered.

“The finished floor level allows progression of required floor to floor heights which culminates in a roof, height that relates to that of the existing DW Sports building.”

Euro Garages started with a single petrol filling station in Bury and now has more than 330 sites across the UK.

In recent years the firm has established itself as one of the Britain’s fastest-growing businesses building high-profile partnerships with Spar, Subway, Starbucks, Greggs, Burger King, Little Chef and Sainsbury’s.

As part of the permission granted last year, two drive-through restaurants will form part of the development, creating dozens more jobs.

The firm’s current offices will be used as a training and development centre.

The multi-million pound project, opposite Euro Garages existing base on Haslingden Road, will create between 150 and 300 jobs.

The scheme includes parking for 349 cars, 26 bicycles and 17 disabled spaces.