A DRAWN-out delay over retrospective plans to add an extra floor to the new Euro Garages HQ is expected to come to a head by the end of the year.

A revised planning application was submitted by developers last year after it became apparent the building on Haslingden Road was being erected with four floors, rather than the three which had originally been given planning permission by Blackburn with Darwen Council in summer 2017.

Despite plans being lodged more than a year ago, borough planners have yet to issue a decision notice formalising approval for the multi-million scheme.

But now council bosses say it is likely to be approved in the next two months.

The delay has been due to issues raised by Highways England over the knock-on effect of the development on Junction 5 of the M65, as well as a subsequent Section 106 agreement for land needed as part of the council's Haslingden Road widening scheme.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesman said: "The delay in determining the application has been to address issues raised by Highways England with regards to the impact of the proposed development on Junction 5 of the M65 motorway.

"The application has been recommended for approval but we cannot formally issue the decision notice until the Section 106 agreement, relating to land associated with the proposed Haslingden Road widening scheme, between the council and the applicants has been signed and sealed.

"We anticipate this to happen before the end of the year."

The £11.4million Haslingden Road widening scheme is aimed at cutting traffic congestion on one of the main roads into Blackburn and improving access to the town’s hospital.

The planned upgrades lodged in September, which have been slightly revised from the initial blueprints following consultation with residents, will see Haslingden Road widened between the Beehive roundabout and Royal Blackburn Hospital and the creation of a new entrance to Royal Blackburn Hospital at Old Bank Lane.

There will also be a creation of a new Blackamoor link road and junction improvements.

The council said the improvements are much-needed and hope they will improve the congestion on the Haslingden Road corridor to and from Royal Blackburn Hospital and junction 5 of the M65.

The work is due to start in early 2020 with a programmed completion by the end of March 2021.

The council says it hopes the upgrades will boost further development of business growth and job opportunities in the area, as well as supporting housing, both for families and staff at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Once operational, the new HQ is expected to house 250 full-time and 40 part-time staff.

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.