COUNCILLORS have approved proposals to turn a storage building at a riding hub into an office.

Burnley Council's development control committee approved plans to convert the barn at Crow Wood Equestrian Centre in Royle Lane, Burnley, after hearing it would create jobs in the borough.

The proposal has been submitted by the Keenans Group to the authority.

The councillors overturned a planning officer's recommendation to refuse the planning application for the change of use of the building after a Keenans Group representative told them it would enable the estate agents to bring staff from Manchester to Burnley.

They delegated head of housing and development control Paul Gattrell authority to make the final approval and conditions.

The committee also received a submission from Whittlefield with Ightenhill Conservative Cllr Don Whitaker supporting the proposal.

It said: "The proposal would secure the long-term viability of Crow Wood Equestrian Centre and bring employment to the area.

"The proposal would improve the visual appearance of the application building and the wider Crow Wood estate.

"The proposal would not adversely impact the rural area.

"The application building already contains an office, which constitutes a lawful use."

The equestrian centre is owned and run by The Keenans Group, which consists of Crow Wood Equestrian, Keenans Estate Agents and Keenans Equestrian and Rural Homes.

The larger site includes the Crow Wood Hotel & Spa and Crow Wood Leisure.

The officer's report recommending approval said: "The application site is located out of town and the proposal would involve an office, which is a main town centre use, but would not be a small-scale rural office.

"The submitted information has not demonstrated that there is a clear local need or demand for the proposal and the application site is not within a district centre.

"The application site is in open countryside and permitting the proposal would not be exercising strict control."

After the meeting Coalclough with Deerplay Liberal Democrat Cllr Gordon Birtwistle said: "This was a good application.

"We are talking converting a hay store into offices and bringing jobs from Manchester back to Burnley. I think we are talking double figures.

"There was no good reason to refuse it."