A NATIONAL builders' merchants is seeking to introduce new storage racks for timber at its Blackburn town centre premises to secure the site's future and improve the safety of its staff and customers.

Travis Perkins wants to make the changes to its branch at Phoenix Mill in King Street.

A supporting statement submitted with the firm's planning application for the development to Blackburn with Darwen Council says: "The site is located on A674 King Street.

"The overall aim of the works will be to improve safety for colleagues and customers whilst future-proofing the site to maintain a safe and successful operation of the business at this location.

"The site is surrounded by a mixture of commercial and residential properties.

"The existing site is 1.71 acres and consists of an established Travis Perkins Builders Merchant.  "Storage buildings and hard-surfaced impermeable areas are used for storage of stock, builders materials, parking and delivery vehicles.

"The safety of our colleagues and customers are paramount within our businesses.

"We are seeking permission to reconfigure an external storage area by replacing bulk storage timber with a racking solution.

"The proposals do not increase the existing ground floor area.

"Access to remain unchanged.

"Landscaping to remain unchanged.

"Appearance to remain unchanged.

"This application is submitted on behalf of Travis Perkins and seeks consent for reconfiguration of storage areas at Travis Perkins, King Street, Phoenix Mill, Blackburn.

"It is considered that proposed works will have no impact - detrimental value on the neighbouring properties."