Blackburn's billionaire Issa brothers proposals for a new dental and medical centre complex in the town have been granted planning permission.

Their proposal is to construct a new thee-storey 'statement piece of architecture' with 14 consulting rooms on the site of the former St Peters Church on the corner of Wainwright Way and Freckleton Street.

A planning application submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council, in the name of Mohammed Kais Ali of EG Headquarters in Shadsworth, was approved by councillors on Thursday.

The proposal is understood to be a private venture by the brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa rather than by either their main EG Group or property arm Monte Blackburn.

The scheme, which would employ 10 or more staff, will not provide NHS services.

Blackburn with Darwen Conservative group planning spokesman Cllr Paul Marrow said: "This is something that is needed in the borough.

"It is an attractive addition to that part of town."

Shear Brow and Corporation Park ward's Cllr Suleman Khonat said: "All in all it's a fantastic application."

Ewood ward's Cllr Jim Casey said: "This will improve an important gateway into town."

A report by planning manager Gavin Prescott said: "The proposed building would form a statement piece of architecture within its immediate setting through the use of an open glazing arrangement to all four elevations, a flat roof and modern construction materials, which would all provide a distinctly contemporary design."