Altham coach centre now set for new commercial units

Hyndburn Council has approved the demolition of the existing Coach Centre in Altham's Moorfield Industrial Estate and the redevelopment of the site.

It has attached 15 conditions to the granting of planning permission for the transformation of the 0.75 acre site into a black of 10 commercial units.

They include measures to protect trees and hedges and the installation of six building mounted swift nest boxes.

A supporting statement prepared by the Urban Future Planning Consultancy Ltd with the application said: "The site comprises a single-storey commercial premises of brick construction which is dated and in a poor condition.

"The applicant seeks to redevelop the site to bring to fruition modern commercial units which are suitable for the 21st Century economy and which are more environmentally sustainable.

"The current building on site is dated and is falling into a state of disrepair.

"In its current form, it blights the local landscape

"The proposal will result in job creation and positive supply chain effects, particularly during the construction phases.

"It will provide good quality business accommodation to a local business, which is in short supply."

A planning officer's report recommending approval said: "It is a commercial site of approx. 0.3Ha, within an industrial estate. "The site itself is undesignated however it is adjacent to a larger industrial/employment site.

"The site contains two buildings (760 square metres approximately in total) and a rough-surfaced yard, all in use presently as vehicle workshops/parking.

"Both buildings are constructed from brick and have profiled-sheet roofs.

"Neither building appears to be in good condition.

"The application proposes the demolition of the two buildings and replacement with a single steel-framed building (924sq.m approximately) partitioned into 10 individual work spaces, each with its own pedestrian and roller-shutter door.

"It will have a pitched roof with walls to be clad in grey sheeting, roof likewise.

"Externally the yard surface will be repaired as necessary and marked out to provide 37 regular parking spaces plus three dedicated disabled spaces.

"Areas to the east and west of the proposed building are nominated for bin storage. No landscaping is proposed.

"The development would provide modern industrial floorspace within the industrial estate without any significant harm to neighbouring uses.

"With the recommended conditions the development would be in accordance with the development plan."