A SHOPKEEPER has condemned a council for forcing him to take down external roller shutters only for his windows to be vandalised.

Imran Munir redesigned the front of his barber's business in Haslingden town centre with the protection for his new glazing in 2010.

He was then ordered by Rossendale Council to apply for backdated planning permission for the change at the shop in the town's conservation area.

In 2011 that was granted except for the roller shutters, despite his claims they were essential to protect the shop from from vandalism.

A year ago Mr Munir finally took them down from his shop, Imran's Impressions Barbers Shop in Deardengate, after losing an appeal to a government planning inspector.

But now his windows have been smashed with bricks or stones leaving Mr Munir with a £1,400 bill to replace them.

The 35-year-old said: "I have been running my business here in Haslingden for ten years.

"I told the council there was a risk of vandalism and I needed the shutters for protection and security.

"They made me take them down and now exactly what I warned them about has happened.

"I have had cars vandalised in my car park and other businesses have suffered damage.

"I need external shutters for security but they would not listen.

"To be honest I am very angry.

"The bill to replace my windows is £1,400 which I can't really afford.

"It's not worth doing unless the council changes its mind and allows me to have proper outside shutters to protect my windows.

"Internal ones will not do the job.

"If the council doesn't allow me outside shutters, I may have to close or move my shop elsewhere."

A Rossendale Council spokesman said: “External shutters can have a harming visual impact and there are other mechanisms, such as internal shutters, which can be incorporated.

"It is considered that external roller-shutters in this location would detract to an unacceptable and unnecessary extent from the character and appearance of Haslingden Town Centre.”

The spokesman added that after the appeal inquiry the Planning Inspector concluded in his decision that 'the visual harm of the shutters is not outweighed by the risks of theft and social crime'.

Police said they were investigating the incident.