A BACKDATED application for planning permission to use a unit in a historic listed building as a joinery workshop which sparked a war of petitions will be debated on Thursday.

Chaudrey Mohammed Yaseen wants to change its use in the Old Fire Station in Byrom Street, Blackburn, from storage to manufacturing furniture.

His application to regularise the operation of the bespoke joinery workshop in the building’s Yaseen Enterprise Centre is up for discussion by Blackburn with Darwen Council Planning Committee.

An officer's report recommends it for approval with six conditions to limit the noise produced by the use.

Mr Yaseen's application sparked two petitions to the council - one in favour and one against as well as several letters of objection.

In August 2019 Historic England gave the Byrom Street building a grade II listed designation.

The report to councillors by Tom Wiggans says: "This retrospective application is submitted following complaints to the council from local residents about noise and disturbance relating to the unauthorised use of the units. The use is thought to have been in operation since 2019.

"The former fire station site is bounded on three sides by the rear yards of residential premises, separated only by boundary walls and an alleyway.

"The principal concern is therefore the level of noise potentially be associated with the proposed units.

"The current hours of use are restricted to the hours of 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday, 9am and 6pm on Saturdays and not at all on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

"In addition, roller shutters fitted to the units must be electrically operated to minimise noise and business activities, and noise inducing activities will be expected to be operated with the roller shutters down.

"This report finds the proposal is acceptable, subject to conditions to mitigate against the identified noise impacts."