Billington beauty salon to become house proposal approved

The proposal for The Nail and Beauty Studio in Abbey View, Billington, to turn it into a three-bedroom house has been approved by Ribble Valley Council.

The property is an end-terrace stone building with a slate roof, sitting just a short walk from the centre of the village.

The planning approval with seven conditions was granted despite an objection on grounds including the loss of a long-established, successful local business, the loss of a historic shop front, and noise disturbance during construction works.

An officer’s report says: “The property comprises a hairdresser's/beauty salon at ground and lower ground floor level with living accommodation at first floor, accessed via an external staircase to the western side elevation.

“The application property occupies a corner plot location with its south and eastern elevations facing towards Longworth Road and Whalley Road, respectively.

“The site to which the proposal relates is located just outside the defined settlement area of Billington, within a predominantly residential area and within the designated Whalley Conservation Area

“Consent is sought for the conversion of the application property’s ground floor component from a hairdresser's/beauty salon to residential use to supplement the property’s existing first floor level residential accommodation.

“The resultant dwelling would comprise a living area, kitchen/diner, study and WC/utility at ground floor with two en-suite bedrooms and an additional study at first floor.

“The lower ground floor of the dwelling is to be utilised as ancillary annexe accommodation, comprising an open plan living/kitchen/dining area, one en-suite bedroom and a study/store.

“External alterations are also proposed as part of the conversion works, including the replacement of the existing shop front with a domestic frontage comprising two windows and an access door.

“It is noted that concerns have been raised with respect to the loss of the historic shop front.

“Whilst the loss of the shop front is acknowledged, the surrounding area is predominantly residential in character, with the application property forming the end of a row of terraced residential properties.

“It is not anticipated that the removal of the existing shop front and replacement with a traditional stone-built domestic frontage, comprising a central access door and two windows, would result in any detrimental harm to the character or significance of the surrounding area.

“It has been confirmed that the lower ground floor of the property is to be utilised as ancillary annexe accommodation and not a separate residential unit/holiday let.”

A supporting statement from the Urban Future Planning Consultancy said there was a strong need for family-sized homes in the area and that converting the building would help meet this demand.