TWO local authorities will be asked on Thursday to declare their opposition to government planning reforms.

Blackburn with Darwen and Burnley Council will both debate motions which warn the proposals would strip residents of their rights to oppose developments in their neighbourhood.

The government last year introduced its 'Planning For the Future' White Paper to streamline the system.

Now Labour councillors in Blackburn with Darwen and the Green Party in Burnley want to put on record their opposition.

The motion going before the former's Council Forum meeting,proposed by borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley and planning chairman Cllr Dave Smith, says: "Whilst the council welcomes the aim to simplify the planning system it is particularly concerned about the proposal to remove local residents’ right to object to individual planning applications in their own neighbourhood if the area is zoned for growth or renewal.

"This is a threat to their long-established democratic right and the council wishes to safeguard the principle of protecting residents’ right to have a say over individual planning applications in their own area."

The motion before Burnley's Full Council meeting proposed by Cliviger with Worsthorne's Cllr Scott Cunliffe and seconded by his Green Party group leader Cllr Andy Fewings, says: "The government is proposing to remove local residents’ rights to object to individual planning applications in their own neighbourhood if the area is zoned for growth or renewal.

"This council believes that planning works best when the council, developers and the local community work together to shape local areas and deliver, where necessary, new homes and other developments in suitable locations."