Problems with a high-pressure water main have forced an expanding East Lancashire business to slash the size of its proposed job-creating new warehouse.

Housewares maker and exporter What More UK Ltd, behind the popular brand 'Wham', had been given approval in March 2021 to build an 18,098 square metre warehouse at its Altham Business Park base.

But on Wednesday the firm, owned by Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt, was given planning permission to reduce the size of the building to just 6,865sqm (including 241sqm of office space).

Planning office Adam Birkett told the meeting of Hyndburn Planning Committee which approved the amended plan that the reduction was caused by a high-pressure water main running across the site.

He said while the new warehouse was in protected Green Belt land it would be allocated for employment use in the emerging Hyndburn Council Local Plan.

A report to the meeting said: "The application site comprises 3.76 hectares of agricultural land that is located immediately south of Altham Business Park.

"The development, as originally granted in 2018, was for a warehouse measuring 110 metres by 170 metres and car-parking and vehicle manoeuvring areas,

"In March 2021, planning permission was granted, modifying the shape and position of the building on the site due to presence of a high pressure water main.

"This application now seeks to further amend the scheme including a reduction of the footprint of the building from 18,098sqm to 6,865sqm (including 241sqm office).

"Previous approvals for a much larger storage building at the site required diversion of a major trunk water main which traverses the site at significant cost to the applicant.

"The proposal is now for a much smaller building positioned within the south western area of the site and fully within the Green Belt to ensure that the water main which runs through the site is not impacted."

A statement from the firm submitted to the meeting said: "The proposed Hyndburn warehouse facility for What More UK Ltd will provide the company with extra storage capacity and secure future growth for their business within the area.

"Increasing their storage capacity will give them the ability to match peak seasonal demands, and increase their product range.

"What More continues to contribute to the local economy and as a large employer in the area, the new warehouse will provide eight new positions.

"The new warehouse facility is a key part of the continuing growth and investment of What More Uk Ltd."

Altham Parish councillor and former Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson told Wednesday's meeting the revised building should be approved as the firm contributed jobs and economic benefits to the village, surrounding area and borough.

Committee chair Cllr Judith Addison said: "This is a growing business and we should do what we can to encourage it to continue to do so."