A ROW has broken out between two councils over plans to extend the Whitebirk retail park.

An area designated for expansion is controlled by two councils -- Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn.

Hyndburn Council this week gave approval for three motorcar showrooms, three office blocks and a exercise and rehabilitation centre, despite objections from Blackburn with Darwen Council.

They claimed there was no proof that an exercise and rehabilitation centre was needed in the area, and that the lack of public transport facilities in the area meant people would have to use the car to get to the centre.

A report of the development services committee of Hyndburn Council said that officers felt the project would not contravene any planning laws.

The project would not draw people away from town centres, and that the hydrotherapy, exercise and rehabilitation centre did not need to prove there was a demand because there were no similar facilities in the area.

Officers also refuted the argument about lack of transport facilities, claiming that provision for cyclists was being made.

Coun Win Frankland, chairman of the development services committee, said: "I think, overall, that Blackburn with Darwen is just playing the big brother here and unhappy that we have got the development.

"The whole development of Whitebirk includes creating a new railway station at Greenbank, on the Accrington to Blackburn line, which passes nearby. "They have made no effort to move along with that so it is a bit rich for them to come along and complain about lack of transport.

"A car showroom is proposed for here. People aren't going to catch a bus or ride a bike to buy a car. It seems like sour grapes."

Coun Frank Connor, chairman of Blackburn with Darwen's planning and highways committee, said: "I think it wrong to suggest that we are being petty.

"I am not fully aware of the development but know it is important that the two authorities work together.

"I am of the opinion that our planning and regeneration departments within Blackburn with Darwen Council are among the best in the North West.

"Any objections to the proposal would have been made using sound planning concerns."

There has been plans to create a multi-million pound leisure complex on the site spanning both Blackburn and Hyndburn's land.

That deal fell through twice before Hyndburn Council lined up East Lancashire-based Barnfield Construction to develop the site into a mixed use complex.