A local authority growth boss has hailed the expansion of a major car dealership as councillors approved its new multi-million pound state-of-the-art car showroom on a flagship commercial estate.

The Hippo Motor Group - based in Trident Way, Whitebirk - can now build the 660 square metre complex on the Millbank Business Park in Lower Darwen.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planning and highways committee on Thursday night granted planning permission for the showroom for 321 vehicles.

The authority's growth boss Cllr Mahmood told the meeting: "It is positive to see this company staying in and investing in the borough.

"It is great to see they they are expanding."

The firm bought the the former paper mill site just off the M65 junction 4, which had been vacant and an eyesore for several years, with outline planning permission in July 2022.

The application approved is a revised version of one previously approved including the addition of a large car showroom.

The decision came despite an objection from a nearby resident about the size of the development, its appearance, potential noise nuisance and likely traffic problems.

During the debate Conservative Cllr Derek Hardman expressed concern about the impact of nighttime security lighting on houses near the site meaning it would make the new building 'stick out like a sore thumb'.

But planning manager Gavin Prescott assured him that a condition on the approval would ensure that the lights would point downwards and would not affect the surrounding area.

His report to the committee said: "The main difference between this new full application for Plot 4 and the previous approval is the proposed vehicle showroom use, which requires planning permission in its own right."

The building will have a modern appearance, using high quality contemporary metal faced cladding materials in black and silver in varying arrangements.

In 2019 the firm spent more than £4 million on expanding its Trident Way complex with a new hi-tech vehicle preparation centre.