COUNCIL planners have slammed an attempt to renovate a Blackburn house.

The application, to build a balcony on the front of a semi-detached house on Preston New Road, was described by officers as ‘an attempt to circumvent the planning system’.

Development manager Gavin Prescott said a number of meetings had been held with the applicant, listed as Mrs Zarif, to advise her of what schemes would be acceptable.

But in the end the original plans were put in again, and brought before the planning committee by a petition from six councillors, in a ‘blatant disregard’ for the officers’ advice.

Planning officers said the development should be refused for three reasons – its impact on the property and surrounding conservation area, damage to trees, and the lack of outdoor amenity space.

When the application came before the committee, councillors initially agreed it should be thrown out as it was ‘totally out of character’ with the area.

Coun Yusuf Jan Virmani then proposed it be accepted, while Labour colleague Salim Mulla suggested it should be deferred.

Eventually they were outvoted, and the application was refused.