A NEW timber frame canopy frontage at Barden Mill, Burnley, has been granted planning permission.

The scheme replaces a frontage to enclose a small area for the sale of plants and garden products built without approval and then refused.

Planning officer Paul Skinner told the development control and highways sub-committee that the existing structure did not fit in well and detracted from the character of the building.

The new proposal with arched windows was more in keeping with the building.

Coun Roger Frost commented: "The first was built without planning permission. I still don't like the new one but it is an improvement."

"I don't like retrospective applications, there should be some sort of punishment, perhaps a quick hanging," he joked.

Coun Carole Galbraith said the applicant should be told that enforcement action would be taken if the existing structure was not removed at an early date.