Householders have spoken out against plans to extend operating hours for businesses on a busy residential road.

Plans have been submitted to allow premises to operate from 11am to 10pm daily on Shear Brow, Blackburn.

The businesses Frurt and the Basement Café are currently authorised to operate between 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on Saturday, with no opening on Sunday or bank holidays.

Thirty-six neighbouring properties were consulted by letter with 28 objections against the new opening times submitted to the council which will go before a planning committee tonight.

One petition of objection and two of support have also been received. However, charities have written in support of the amendment to the opening times saying the Basement Cafe has been supporting community groups of all backgrounds in the area. One charity commended the business for supporting vulnerable groups.

Whilst there was also a feeling that other businesses which also opened late were not being targeted in this way.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning enforcement officers had met the owners on site and a planning request for a variation of the opening times was sent.This has now been recommended for approval by planning officers.

Parking, noise and littering and the lack of support from the council to enforce rulings were listed as ongoing concerns by the objectors.

The businesses are located near the corner of the Croft and Shear Brow. Opposite them is the Clove Restaurant.

One resident said: “There are people parked around these premises on yellow lines or even on resident driveway lines late at night either waiting in the cars including Uber/Just Eat drivers or actually eating in the cars causing unnecessary traffic and causing issues for residents that cannot park around their houses.”

The planning application reads that the “current on street parking, is situated around the triangle at the top of Shear Brow/East Park Road, together with parking bays along East Park Road. This is fully occupied during the day; however, there is availability in the evening as the shops around the centre shut at 18.00 pm. Therefore, on balance the change in hours is supported by highways.'

And adds the ‘presence of illegally or inconsiderately parked vehicles would appear to be matters for parking enforcement, rather than for control via the planning process.’

However, objectors say parking officers rarely ever visit the road to check for illegally parked vehicles. They were also unlikely to visit after 6pm.

Another resident Riyaz who objected said: “There have been numerous parking violations outside the businesses in question that seem to go unpunished as the council does not have the means to have enforcement officers always around this area.”

Resident Duaa wrote: “As many consumers buy goods and eat or drink in their cars due to limited seating at Frurt, there are a large number of vehicles parked in front of private property, such as garages and passageways, making it extremely difficult for residents to move around.”

It was also noted that there were already other businesses operating later in the evening and that the 'retail units adjoining the application site are long-standing uses that do not have restricted opening hours. Furthermore, a number of local businesses including ‘The Clove’ restaurant and hot food takeaways operate until 11pm or later.'

A statement from the Revidge Fold Church, which is nearby and located in front of three other takeaways such as 16th Street and Mr Joes, said: “This has always been a residential area with a few shops serving the needs of those living here.

“The area is now becoming a magnet for people from outside the area to gather and purchase takeaways etc. The noise of traffic, irresponsible parking and amounts of litter created is unacceptable and will only get worse if these applications are approved.

“We have a strong community and we are together in wanting to retain our ‘residential status’ and not become a ‘takeaway’ district.”

A resident of the Lammack area, Alf Green, said: “I frequent the top of Shear Brow for my morning paper and the bins are already overflowing. Why the council would want to encourage more late-night openings in the area is beyond me?"

Charities have written in support of the amendment to the opening times. Community Spirit said: “The Manager of the business (Basement Café) heard about us and the work we do and on numerous occasions has offered us substantial discounts to use the premises for several functions.”

The Noorani Education Centre also sent in a letter of support and said the said the business (Basement Café) has assisted community groups.

A further group, Audiology Services said the business (Basement Café) had ‘allowed use of their buildings for free hearing tests within the local community’.

A stastement from the Basement Venue Cafe said: "We have operated the business for 10 years, we have never had any issues until recently.

"We have applied for extension of hours to 10pm in line with other businesses in the immediate vicinity. Not so long ago there was a public house directly opposite open till early hours of the morning, there is also a off licence and fast food outlets which are open till 11pm.

"We have no complaints of parking or noise registered against our business in the last 10 years. We are confident due process and common sense shall prevail."

A Frurt spokesperson said: "We try to involve and support the local community by litter picking at every branch and try our utmost to keep our premises clean, as well as ensuring our customers are considerate of local parking restrictions.

"The last 18 months have been difficult for everybody and businesses have gone through uncertain times. We rejuvenated a derelict building and brought life to the corner plot.

"We understand a complaint about opening times was reported by a concerned resident and due to this we have made an application to extend our opening hours in line with other businesses in the locality including an off-license. Our customers mainly consist of families coming to enjoy our product."