A COLLEGE has hit out after permission to build a new workshop for students was refused.

Blackburn with Darwen councillors opposed a recommendation from officers to approve the scheme on land at the junction of Montague Street and St Paul's Street, Blackburn, on the grounds it would cause parking problems.

A spokesman for Blackburn College accused councillors of basing their decision on 'incorrect information.'

The college had asked for permission to build a two-storey building which would house construction workshops to be used by students on courses at the centre, which has its main base in nearby Feilden Street.

But leading the opposition, Coun Andy Kay said: "I have grave concerns about this application because I think it will affect much of the rest of the town centre.

"The site is currently a popular place for people to park and then walk into the centre.

"If these cars are moved elsewhere, they will simply be parked in residential areas and cause problems for the locals.

"I genuinely believe it will affect the vitality of the town centre if it goes ahead because people won't want to hunt for parking spaces.

"There are other, less obtrusive sites which the college already owns." Coun Alan Cottam also supported the refusal.

He said: "By allowing this building to be built we aren't able to choose a route for the Barbara Castle Way extension through to Montague Street. "Our hands will be tied to one route, which I don't think is the best one at all.

"If we moved the route to cross this land, we could have parking running alongside it."

A spokesman for the council's highways department said: "We have a surplus of parking spaces and are under pressure to reduce that."

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration, stood down from the debate because he is associated with the college.

He told the meeting he was angry at rumours circulating that he would benefit financially from the development.

Opposition councillors denied starting the rumours and urged Coun Whalley to stick to planning matters instead of rumours.

A spokesman for the college said: "We are disappointed. I think the councillors have made a decision without getting their facts right.

"Which other piece of land are we supposed to use? I can't think of any.

"We will be going back to our consultants to see what is the next move they recommend for us."