A FARMER has slammed council chiefs for blocking his plan to turn a workshop into a granny flat for his disabled parents.

John Teasdale, of Dale Hey Farm, near Ribchester, said the flat would have meant his 69-year-old mum, Pauline, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, would have been able to take a bath for the first time in five years.

At the moment, she is unable get into certain rooms at the farm because the doors are not wide enough for her wheelchair.

And she cannot have a bath as there is not enough room for a hoist and has had to make do with showers.

And John's father Thomas, 73, suffers from angina, gout and an irregular heartbeat.

But council planning officers have rejected the application, claiming it would damage the visual amenity of the area and be contrary to a policy known as Greening the Red Rose County - a Lancashire County Council document that attempts to prevent over-development of rural areas.

John said: "We would have made the workshop much more attractive to look at than it is at the moment.

"They suggested we go for an extension on the house instead, but that would constitute a new build, which surely can't be preferable to converting a rundown building.

"This flat would have made a real difference to my parents but instead they have to suffer. I plan to appeal on this."

The application had the support of the local parish council and borough councillor, Brian Collis.

But Ribble Valley Council development control manager, John Macholc, said: "Planning applications for annex accommodation are not uncommon in Ribble Valley and, while each proposal is considered on its individual merits, the council also has to be consistent in its decision-making.

"The council has a specific planning policy in relation to extended family accommodation and we have suggested to the applicant's agent that a way forward might be a more modest development easily integrated into the main house should circumstances change."