YOUR report "Cash Chaos" (LET, February 11) was a misrepresentation of the council's commitment to facilitating access for disabled people.

It wrongly indicated that the NatWest Bank, who should be commended for their policy to have disabled access facilities at all their branches, had made two unsuccessful applications for planning consent for a ramp at their listed King William Street premises in Blackburn.

In fact, only one such application has been made - which was refused by planning officers at Blackburn with Darwen Council under delegated powers on September 15, 1998.

Listed Building Consent, which has to be requested at the same time as planning consent, was also refused on the same date.

The reason for refusing the planning consent was that the proposed ramp, being positioned on the public highway, would be contrary to the council's code of practice in that it would cause an obstruction to the free flow of pedestrians. This recognised that this part of King William Street is one of the busiest in Blackburn town centre and that there simply is not the space available, unlike in front of the town hall.

The reasons for refusing the listed building consent were threefold. Firstly, the design and materials proposed for the ramp are not in keeping with the design and materials of this listed building.

Secondly, the proposed development is contrary to policy in the Blackburn with Darwen local plan which states that proposals that unacceptably affect the special architectural and historical interest of a listed building will not be permitted. The proposed ramp is not of suitable design or materials and detracts from the appearance and character of the building.

The third reason for refusal was that it is also contrary to policy in the local plan which requires that new development respects the character and appearance of a conservation area. The would have a detrimental impact on the street scene of Northgate conservation area.

The local plan has just been through a lengthy period of consultation and received support from a great number of people, including the Civic Society. It aims to identify areas for future development or for conservation. The Northgate conservation area has been significantly and tastefully resurfaced in recent months to enhance the image of the town and the setting of individual buildings, including this bank.

As your opinion piece quite rightly said: "If the listed town hall can be sensitively adapted to include a ramp, so can the grand old NatWest building."

I echo your sentiments, and am sure that the bank will be able to look at other options for facilitating disabled access which may meet planning and listed building regulations, just as the council did when its application was drawn up.

COUNCILLOR FRANK CONNOR, (Chairman, planning sub-committee, Blackburn with Darwen Council), Duxbury Street, Darwen.

Footnote: The bank told us they made two applications. The first was an informal inquiry by their architects who were told the council would refuse permission because "the council did not favour outside ramps". Editor

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