THE owner of a town centre garage repeatedly targeted by vandals and arsonists has warned planners he will have to close if not allowed to keep an extension.

Abdul Jaffar is seeking backdated permission to retain the secure vehicle store at his Thornber Works in Stansfeld Street, Blackburn

He put it up after several arson and vandal attacks damaging vehicles in his care.

In March 2020 Blackburn with Darwen Council rejected a previous application for retrospective planning permission for the structure.

It said the building's 'poor design, scale, mass and materials forms an incongruous feature against the host building and within the street scene'.

The decision notice also said that 'the proposed covered area, by virtue of being built over the public highway, fails to ensure the safe, efficient and convenient movement of all highways users through compromising the turning area at the head of Stansfeld Street/Thornber Street'.

A supporting statement for the new application from Mr Jaffar's agent Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd says: "The application premises is occupied by a successful, local MOT / repairs business that is a source of employment for local people.

"Following on from multiple acts of vandalism and severe arson, not only in the locality but targeted specifically at the applicant’s business, he installed roller shutters and erected a covered, secure area for vehicles.

"This is a vital requirement for the applicant’s business insurance given the high levels of crime in the locality with many cases of arson.

"The applicant’s business is a local employer and serves a local need and without the extension would be forced to close.

"This application follows a previously refused application.

"Since then, the applicant has revisited the scheme.

"The scheme has been scaled down and other modifications made.

"The height of the extension has been notably reduced and now sits at the same height as the business signage.

"The projection of the structure has also been reduced and reduces the perceived mass of the extension when viewed from Stansfeld Street.

"The section of highway immediately to the front of the premises is akin to a private road and has not been used as a ‘turning point’ for several years.

"Moreover, the extension has been sited for some time and there have been no issues to date regarding highway safety or vehicle incidents.

"The applicant has reduced the size and scale of the structure.

" Such a structure is clearly required given the on-going arson attacks that jeopardises the applicant's business viability and risks jobs."