A FORMER Northwich funeral directors is set to become a 24-hour taxi booking office.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has given the green light to plans to change the of use of the George Lightfoot Independent Funeral Directors in Timber Lane.

The plans, submitted by Azmat Ullah, will see some office space retained within the building along with some retail use as well.

Three car park spaces would be available at the site. 

In a report recommending approval, a council planning officer said: "In light of the above, the proposal is considered to represent a compatible re-use of a unit within a town centre.

"While the proposal will result in the loss of a retail use, this is not found to harm the vitality and viability of the centre or result in an unacceptable concentration of retail uses.

Noting the location of the site within the town centre and the lack of external alterations, the new use is considered to safeguard residential amenity as well as the character of the host building and wider conservation area.

"In all other regards the proposal is considered to represent a sustainable development."

For more details on the plans, search reference 21/04364/FUL on the council's online planning portal