PLANS to convert former offices above a Blackburn town centre hairdressers into flats have been knocked back.

An application for permission to convert two floors of offices above The Head Shed on Railway Road, next to Morrisons, into eight flats was received by Blackburn with Darwen Council earlier this year.

Developers KC Homes said no external alterations were proposed as part of the planning application.

But council planning officer Nick Blackledge said misinformation in the application meant the proposal could not be classed as permitted development and therefore should not go ahead.

KC Homes claimed the application site previously hosted office accommodation for Newsquest, in association with the production of the Lancashire Telegraph, but that was not the case.

Mr Blackledge said: “A site inspection of the first and second floor subject of the application established the space as vacant, including the absence of any furniture or typical office equipment. The space has evidently been vacant for a substantial period of time, on account of its poorly maintained state, including evidence of pigeon habitation; as illustrated in a series of photographs.

“The ground floor tenant at the hairdressers anecdotally stated that the upper floors have been empty for the duration of her tenancy, which began about three years prior to the application.

"No planning records exist for the upper floors.

“It is considered that the applicant has failed to demonstrate on the balance of probability that the application site benefits from a lawful B1a office use.”

The application was dismissed by officers using delegated powers.