A £1m Asian wedding hall has been granted extended opening hours despite concerns it was staying open too late.

Blackburn with Darwen Council had received complaints from nearby residents about late night noise from The Grand Venue Banqueting and Conference Suite in Harrison Street, Blackburn, which was been built on the 20,000 square foot site of the former engineering firm DSF Delmec last year.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Complaints from residents began in August last year, alleging late night opening beyond the permitted 7pm closure time. A subsequent joint investigation involving night time monitoring established that it was operating, on occasion, until between the hours of 11pm and 2am.

Following the complaints, a planning application was submitted proposing to extend the hours from 11am to 7pm to 11am to 11pm.

A petition against the extended opening hours, with 29 signatures, was then submitted to the council.

Debra Brown, who lives nearby, said: “From the first event they held, they began late opening and closing.

“The petition we started shows how many people are affected by this behaviour.

“These properties are family homes and we should not have to endure this intrusion or be made to feel like we should leave.

“They cannot keep to their written agreements, let alone their word.

“If anything, they should be sanctioned and supervised after ignoring the council.”

A Breach of Condition Notice (BCN) was issued in September requiring cessation of the unauthorised opening hours but the council still received intermittent complaints since then.

Members voted to grant a 12-month temporary permission so officers can monitor noise from the site.

As part of the permission, the Grand Venue owners are required to pay for the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), in order to introduce residents-only parking along Harrison Street and Canterbury Street.

Council bosses say it is needed to stop patrons of the Grand Venue from parking on the roadside in front of residents’ homes

Executive member for growth and development, Cllr Phil Riley, said granting temporary permission was a good compromise.

He added: “It’s a great asset to the town and we are all pleased the officers have worked hard to try and find an amicable solution.

“This offers the owners and managers a sensible time to close and supporting residents' parking will help because people have been affected by large crowds turning up.

“It’s about how we make the most of an asset to the town but also respect the people who live nearby.”

Chairman of the committee, Cllr Dave Smith, added: “I can understand frustrations but hopefully this will make things better for everyone.”

The venue has a large reception area, a bridal suite, an LED stage, prayer areas and gold-coloured sinks in the bathrooms.

Seating can be split over two floors for larger wedding parties.

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Whilst Blackburn has smaller wedding venues, restaurants and public buildings, few can cater for much larger wedding parties in one sitting. People hoping to host bigger weddings previously had to look to travel to Bolton and Manchester.