A petrol station on a main road into Blackburn is to get a new shop, electric vehicle charging points and jet wash bays.

The Motor Fuel Group has been given planning permission for the remodelling of its Furthergate Service Station.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has approved the scheme, on the road which links the town centre to the M65's junction six, with 12 conditions.

A report by senior planner Christian Barton says: "The application site is a petrol filling station and car wash.

"The site currently comprises of a number of buildings and structures, parking areas and an area of undeveloped land to the south east corner.

"Vehicular access is gained from Bottomgate.

"This application involves the erection of single-storey extension to provide independent retail unit, new electric vehicle (EV) charging points, improved parking, new jet wash bays and minor forecourt adjustments.

"The floor area of the proposed unit would be circa 110 square metres.

"The submitted proposed floor plans show a servery area, kitchen, and storage areas.

"Use by a bakery chain has been alluded to by the agent during the course of the application.

"Four new jet wash bays are proposed together with eight EV charging bays and a new substation.

"A number of forecourt adjustments are also proposed, which include repositioning four existing filling pumps, changes to the parking layout and traffic circulation changes.

"The proposed works and structures would not appear materially out of place when the site context is taken into account.

"Moreover, the proposed extensions and ancillary buildings would be appropriately scaled within their setting.

"It should also be noted these proposals provide a welcomed opportunity to improve the appearance of the east edge of the site.

"Specific concerns have been raised by Highways regarding egress arrangements for the jet wash and EV charging bays.

"In my view, the formation of a traffic island to funnel traffic leaving that part of the site is a logical approach.

"Directional signage and give way lines have also been added in order to further minimise confusion.

"The potential for vehicles queueing up to leave the site is extremely unlikely.

"Regarding parking, an additional seven spaces are proposed, which is more than adequate for a food retail building of the proposed size.

"Subject to appropriate conditions, the proposal would be acceptable in principle and in terms of design and visual amenity, residential amenity, highways, servicing and parking, flooding and drainage, and land contamination."