Residents' dismay as their battle against plan to build homes on 'natural beauty spot' in Padiham is defeated

Mr Marsden said: "I find it a joke we can have numerous meetings, across a period of six or seven months, and a board of local councillors can hear the views of both sides, then decide themselves, via a democratic vote of 12 to 3, in favour of refusal,

"Then one man, who may never have heard of Padiham before, let alone been to the area before this, can just decide to ignore these councillors and their expertise and throw their views out of the window, and tell the developers to crack on."

Mr Marsden added that it 'rubbed salt into the wound' that there was little that could be done now the final decision had been made adding: "What is the point of all the earlier procedures? Just skip that lot and get this inspector up every time.

" He will just say yes and we can have housing estates built on our local parks and motorways built through our gardens."

News that the appeal against Burnley Council had been upheld was slammed by angry council leader Coun. Mark Townsend who said he was 'disgusted' that the government's planning inspector had 'ridden rough shod' over local democracy.

Although the inspector's decision can be challenged in the High Court it would have to be on the basis on the law in making the final decision had not been properly followed.

Although it had been recommended for conditional approval, members of the Development Control committee voted 12 to three to turn down the application to build six detached bungalows on the area of land known as Craggs Farm in July. The decision came four months after the first application was made.

Members of Burnley's Development Control committee refused the plan to build the bungalows on the grounds that it was considered to be 'detrimental to the character and appearance of the area.'

In a report presented to the committee by planning officers the development was described as not being in keeping with the surrounding area by virtue of its 'poor design and layout.'

The plan was also kicked out on the grounds that because it would be built so close to several homes in Whalley Road there would not be enough distance to ensure privacy to the homes.

But residents' celebrations were shortlived as the plan was re-submitted in April with alterations made to the distance from the existing homes in Whalley Road.

But the new and amended plan was described as a 'cosmetic makeover' of the original plan by Padiham Community Action.

The campaign against developing the site in Vicarage Avenue began after it was cleared last year leaving residents angry as the area has long been acknowledged as a 'natural beauty spot' with an abundance of wildlife and vegetation including bats, owls, wild flowers, lilac, trees and deer in the summer months.

The area is part of the Huntroyde Estate and lies in a triangle between Blackburn Road, Vicarage Avenue and Whalley Road. There is a building known as Craggs farmhouse on the western boundary.

The site was not included in Burnley's Local Plan, which was adopted last year and sets out the overall strategy for development up to 2032.

Padiham Town Council objected to the application by Reedley Properties Ltd and Lancashire County Council had expressed concerns about parking and access issues.

In recent months the site has started to return to its natural state and deer has even been spotted there for the first time in months.

Concerns have also been expressed by several residents who rent garden space on the land.

Olivia Hull said she had moved to the area with her partner to start a family in their 'forever' home.

Olivia said: " I really hope the land owners see the importance of the gardens for residents' quality of life.

"We went to be able to create lovely memories together as well as with the other fellow residents."

Alan and Denise Brown said residents now had no choice but to relt on the integrity of the site owners and developers to stick to their original plan for the bungalows.

They said: "We also hope that the bungalows will be in keeping with the architecture of this part of Padiham.

" In addition we sincerely hope that they will allow the residents who rent some garden space to continue to do so.

"The importance of some green space cannot be underestimated, particularly in the current climate."

In his report the government inspector draws up a list of reasons for granting the appeal and these include his view that the proposed dwellings are sited at such a distance from the existing homes they would not cause a 'sharp or harmful' contrast in their appearance.

He also said they would not be 'dominant ' features in the area or 'dilute the presence' or compromise the privacy of the existing Victorian terraced homes.