AN architect whose proposal to split a house in two was turned down by councillors has denied trying to get around planning regulations.

Khalid Khan applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for permission to subdivide his property at 123 to 127 Whalley Range in Bastwell into two homes.

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In 2012 he had joined up two dwellings — 123/125 and 127 — and the following year gained planning permission for a first-floor extension.

At this month’s borough planning committee, Mr Khan asked for permission to return the mid-terraced property to separate houses.

Planning officials said the application should be refused as the committee would never have granted permission for the extension if the property had been two houses at the time.

Mr Khan’s application said he needed to subdivide the property to accommodate a family friend.

He admitted he was wrong to have already sealed up the connecting door.

Corporation Park Labour councillor Arshid Mahmood said: “It looks like he made it into a single dwelling purely to get planning permission for the extension.”

The committee refused the application and asked planning officials to take enforcement action to return the property to a single dwelling.

Mr Khan said: “I deny the allegation that I turned it into a single property to get round planning rules.

“I am disappointed by the decision and may appeal.”