PLANNING bosses say their work is vindicated as the number of appeals won against council decisions has dropped.

Latest figures put before Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning and highways committee showed, of the four appeals decided over the last six months, three were dismissed while one was a split decision.

Borough planning manager Gavin Prescott told committee members there had also been a drop in the number of appeals submitted against the council.

Committee chairman Dave Smith said the results showed that the work the council was doing, particularly at the pre-application stage, was a big part of this.

He added that the council was on the right track.

Mr 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.”

Between April and October, four appeals were determined by the Planning Inspectorate.

Proposals for a two-storey extension at 35 Kirkland Close in Blackburn were dismissed because inspectors agreed with borough planners that the development would be overbearing.

A scheme to change the use of part of the ground and first floor at 87 Whalley New Road from retail to office, as well as external alterations was also thrown out.

Inspectors said the proposals would damage the look of the property and the surrounding street scene.

A split decision was reached on an appeal to raise the ridge height at 42 Lammack Road and create a new front porch and hardstanding area to the front garden.

Proposals for a part two-storey rear extension and detached outbuilding at 10 Finch Close in Blackburn were also dismissed by inspectors.

It was determined the development was not in keeping with the surrounding properties.