CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new taxi office in Padiham are set to be given the green light.

Plans to open a 20-vehicle private hire firm at Grove Industrial Park, in Grove Lane, have been recommended for approval at a meeting tomorrow.

Town councillors initially rejected the plans, saying they would cause a disruption to residents, but have now just called for a condition stopping taxis entering or exiting the site via Partridge Hill Street.

But planning officers at Burnley Council said such a condition could not be imposed.

Aftab Ahmed, planning officer at Burnley Council, said: “Although this part of Padiham is a mixed area comprising residential and commercial properties, the main route of access and egress from the unit would not be predominantly through the residential area.

“The main issue to consider is that no residential property directly faces the entrance of the unit which would suffer a significant amount of impact to the residential amenity.

“On balance, the proposal does not have a detrimental impact on the character and amenity of the surrounding uses and particularly residential areas.

“There is no reason to suggest that this use is unacceptable or warrants a refusal on these grounds.”

The private hire firm would operate 24 hours a day seven days a week.