THE presence of a nearby mine shaft has been given as one of the reasons for refusing planning permission to turn a former nursery into a residential and respite care home for children on the autistic spectrum.

Dr Imran Ali from White Pearl Care Limited had applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for planning permission for the change of use of 'Mondeor' a detached property in the village of Hoddlesden.

A supporting statement with the application said: "We are proposing to develop a community service to look after young people between 9 and 18 years of age who have a formal diagnosis of moderate to severe autism with/without learning disability, mental health.

"The service will provide accommodation for individuals who require personal and social care and support.

"The service is for individuals who experience difficulties within the family home and who require support by trained staff."

"The house is large enough to home seven people comfortably, there will be shared living area, dining and kitchen and their own en-suite bedrooms.

"A sensory room will also be available for individuals who need time to destress or relax."

The council has refused the application which also involved building a single storey rear extension and the creation of five car parking spaces at the detached house in Hoddlesden Road which had previously been used as a nursery for up to 26 children.

The reason for the decision included: "The development would fail to secure satisfactory levels of safety due to the applicant’s failure to provide confirmation that adequate separation between

the proposed rear extension and the historic coal mine entry will be maintained."

In addition a report by planning office Nick Blackledge said: "The development, by virtue of its failure to demonstrate a need arising from the requirements of people with a defined association with Blackburn with Darwen would lead to an unwarranted increase in the level of demand for public support services, to the extent that those services would deteriorate for existing users."

A third reason given for the refusal was: "The development would erode the established garden fronted character of Hoddlesden Road and result in an overtly car dominated frontage, to the

extent that the site would appear incongruous to its residential setting."

The application generated 15 objections from nearby residents on grounds including need; noise / nuisance/ general amenity impacts; behavioural issues; traffic generation / parking; sustainability of location; disproportionate extension; change in character; presence of mine shaft; drainage and gistoric incidents associated with the existing nursery.