BLACKBURN with Darwen Council planning appeal stats for the last year show out of 18 cases, 12 were dismissed and five were allowed with one split decision.

In one case, where developers proposed to build a new home on land adjoining Moorthorpe Cottage, Chestnut Grove, Darwen, the planning inspector also awarded full costs to the appellant.

They found the council did not provide enough evidence to back up their reason for refusal, which related to the impact on trees

The inspector concluded that the proposed development would have no significantly adverse effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding area. Nor would it be likely to have a long-term effect on protected trees on the site.

The split decision related to an appeal where part of the development was allowed and part was dismissed.

Council development manager, Gavin Prescott said: “With regards to the appeals allowed by the inspectorate, and the reasons provided, these have been duly considered in detail by officers, and have been incorporated in the decision making culture as part of the planning service’s performance improvement plan, in order to reduce the number of appeals, and subsequently the number of appeals allowed.”