A fast-growing Darwen business is to add a new reception area and office to its headquarters.

Multevo has been granted planning permission for the single-storey building at its site at Unit 1 To 3 in Charles Street.

The firm was ranked 398th out of 1,000 companies across Europe in the Financial Times Europe's Fastest Growing Companies in March.

Established in 2010 with just four staff members, Multevo now employs more than 340 people nationwide.

The company provides services including highways, civil engineering, groundworks, arboriculture, traffic management, and plant and fleet maintenance.

It recently announced a new partnership with Lancashire County Council to use to resurface the authority's roads by recycling existing materials on site to provide a long-lasting, first-time repair.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted planning permission for Multevo's new building with four conditions.

A planning officer's report recommending approval said: "Full planning permission is sought for the erection of a flat roofed, brick, single-storey building within the existing hardstanding area adjacent to the main building.

"The building occupies an area of 36 square metres and will provide an ancillary office and reception for the Multevo repair garage that occupies the remainder of the site.

"The proposed building is to be sited on an area of hardstanding adjacent to the car park and close to the existing premises.

"It incorporates a flat-roofed design, constructed in brick to match the main buildings within the site.

Multevo’s headquarters in Charles Street, Darwen
Multevo’s base in Charles Street, Darwen

"The development is modest in scale and evidently ancillary to the wider functions within the site.

"The proposed location would be partially visible from the adjacent Duckworth Street, though would be partially obscured by the main building.

"The proposed flat roofed design is without detriment to the wider site or immediate locality, whilst the proposed materials will help assimilation.

"The proposal is for an ancillary reception area and it would therefore be unfeasible for an alternative site to be proposed.

"The proposed building is on a small area of hardstanding adjacent to the main building. It does not adversely affect any existing parking provision.

"No conflicts with pedestrian movements would result."