Plans to change a flat inside a former sub-station into a coffee shop-restaurant have been approved by the council.

The building, located at the rear of the former Saigon Buffet on Exchange Street in Blackburn, will be furnished with a new door and a flue and will be subject to external alterations.

The redundant sub-station has been in residential use although permission does not exist.

The application, which was submitted in December, was granted with conditions, mainly to ensure any alterations to the shop front and windows would be developed in accordance with the local plan and in keeping with the appearance of neighbouring properties, and to ensure that neighbouring properties were guarded against any noise or cooking odours.

Submitted by Mr Mushtaq Hussain, the plans say the restaurant will employ three full-time and one part-time staff and open Monday to Friday from 7am until 11pm, Saturdays from 9am until 11pm and Sundays from 9am until 11pm.

Concern has been expressed by Taylors Solicitors, who own the adjacent office building to the west of the site, as to access rights to the building.

The planning officer report stated: “It is asserted that the applicant has no rights over the area to the immediate west of the building.

“Access is clearly defined on the submitted drawings as from a new entrance door positioned within the east elevation of the building.

“That the existing door to the west of the building will be retained, is considered to be outside the scope of this planning application.

“Use of the door and any subsequent unlawful encroachment would be a civil matter between the two parties.”

Five neighbours were consulted by letter, with a single objection received which raised concerns over the impact on heritage assets, an inappropriate design, an over concentration of similar uses, loss of privacy, odour and noise nuisance, highway safety and crime and disorder.

No objections were raised in terms of heritage with a heritage statement reading: “The application has no negative impact on the heritage aspects of the conservation area, in fact it improves the area by replacing an ugly brick wall with windows that improve the building aesthetically and break up the appearance.

“The windows and the door to the proposed store front will be double glazed glass with aluminium frames and the remaining brickwork will be cleaned and repointed to keep in context with the adjacent building and blend in with the street view.”