A LEISURE company has won its battle to open an amusement centre just yards away from a youth centre.

A Government appointed inspector has overturned Blackburn with Darwen Council's decision to block the Mill Hill centre.

Residents and councillors were furious when plans for the centre in New Chapel Street were unveiled by MJA Leisure.

Objectors claimed it would act as as a magnet for local teenagers and cause traffic congestion in Mill Hill.

Mill Hill Residents Association and Lancashire Youth Service backed the residents and spoke out against the plan.

Frank Connor, Blackburn with Darwen's chairman of planning said: "I am very disappointed with this decision.

"Mill Hill has enough problems as it is without something like this adding to them.

"There is no doubt that this centre will attract young people and become a meeting place for local youths."

Members of the council's planning committee refused the planning application for the centre against the advice of officers. Ribble Valley-based MJA Leisure appealed against the decision and a public inquiry was called in a bid to settle the row.

Planning inspector Alan Novitzky listened to legal arguments from both sides before making a decision.

He said: "I have considered representations on the moral temptation to young people offered by this proposal. However, in itself this is not a planning issue.

"I have taken account of the point about worsening traffic conditions in the area. A report to the planning committee stated it was most unlikely premises in this location would attract customers from afar. Most would live locally and go on foot or would be in the area for another purpose as well."

The inspector has added a list of conditions including restrictions on opening times, sound-proofing for the building and extra parking spaces at the back of the building.

The leisure company had an application for their legal costs to be paid for by the council turned down by the inspector.

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