RESIDENTS of an up-market Darwen road have lost their fight to block plans for a large home for the elderly.

People living on Whitehall Road have accused Blackburn with Darwen Council of doing a U-turn in approving an application for a 30 bedroom nursing home.

Around 30 residents were at a planning committee to hear the scheme passed by councillors.

Many people claim the home new home alongside Astley bank Nursing Home would be too large and would change the character of the exclusive area. A letter from Whitehall Road Residents and District objecting to plans was handed to councillors.

It reads: "We are extremely concerned at the attitude of the planning department to this application.

"The department was minded to refuse two previous applications, one was for a much smaller scale development and another was for a development very similar to the current one. "Little regard seems to have been taken of the many objections made by the local residents."

Liberal Democrat councillor David Foster spoke out in support of the residents.

He said: "This building is almost twice the size of any other building on Whitehall Road.

"Previous applications which were much smaller were refused, we are looking at approving this because of minor alterations to the plans. There is no doubt this will spoil the character of the area."

Councillors followed town hall officials' advice and approved the planning application.

Labour Coun Dave Smith commented: "It seems when any application comes in for Darwen some councillors are only too willing to jump on the side of objectors.

"I don't think there is anything wrong with this application.

"If we refused it there would be an appeal which could cost this council a lot money."

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