A FORMER second hand furniture shop in a historic town centre could become a hot food takeaway.

Abdus Shahid wants to convert the property at 227 Duckworth Street, Darwen.

It is in the Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area.

The premises are a mid-terraced former retail shop in parade of other shop and food outlets.

Darwen East ward Liberal Democrat Cllr Paul Browne said: "Not another hot food takeaway.

"The town has far too many.

"Enough is enough."

Supporting documents submitted with a planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council say: The premises has been vacant for some years, with the last known use consisting of a secondhand furniture shop.

"The first floor may have been used as ancillary residential but it not clear.

"The proposal is to change the use of the ground floor from shop to a hot food takeaway which will comprise of a customer standing area, a prep area with a new kitchen.

"Usable space would comprises of approximately 50 square metres with the first floor being used for staff and storage.

Opening hours will be in line with other takeaways that are sited along from 4pm to 11pm.

The premises will operated by two full time staff (the Applicant with his son), and one part time.

They are along a busy road with a variety of retail, offices and takeaway uses, each hold their unique fronts and rear extension and all are non-uniform with a mixture of red facing brickwork, smooth faced render and pebble dash render, to both front and rear.

"We have considered the significance of the heritage asset and the impact this application would have on it.

"It is not a rarity and that the proposal represents a material benefit and that it would secure the future use of the building.

"Conservation area status is not intended to stifle new development nor preserve areas as museum pieces.

"The new use will enhance, and have a positive contribution on the conservation area, by bringing a disused building back into use.

"In the specific context of conserving the historic environment, the proposals will help both sustain and enhance the local historic built environment."