PLANS to replace a former social club gutted by fire with a plumber’s merchants could be thrown out.

Great Harwood Plumbing Merchants wants to build new premises at the former Grand Club in Blackburn Road in the town but Hyndburn Council’s planning committee has been urged to refuse permission.

The site is vacant following the demolition of the club, which was gutted by a fire in 2014.

If approved, the proposal would see the business move from its base in St Hubert’s Road and a new building built to accommodate all the necessary floorspace for a plumbing centre.

But Lancashire County Council’s highways department objected to the proposed application due to the poor access to the site, including how HGVs will use it.

Highways bosses also say there would also be insufficient car parking provision.

A report detailing the application will be discussed by the council’s planning committee next week, with officers recommending councillors refuse permission.

A report to go before the committee says: “This is a prominent site on one of the important routes into Great Harwood. The proposal for use as a plumber merchant (A1 use) is acceptable in principle given its close proximity to the town centre.

“The highway authority, however, objected to the original scheme given the poor access arrangement to and from the site, the accesses' close proximity to a pedestrian crossing, as well as there being a lack of space within the site to provide adequate parking and for the unloading of HGVs, meaning that it will have a severe adverse impact on highway safety.

“The applicant was informed of the objection by the highway authority and has submitted a revised plan on which the highway authority has yet to comment.

“Its comments will be reported to members at the committee meeting.

“Members are reminded that the application may include works within the highway for which an agreement with the highway authority is required."

“If this is the case such an agreement to carry out the works may be withheld due to the highway authority’s objection and as such the application will not be able to be implemented.”