A householder's backdated planning application to extend his home has caused a village neighbours' row.

Gary Dawes asked Burnley Council to give him retrospective approval for a single-storey extension to his home in Lindsay Park, Worsthorne-with-Hurstwood.

But three nearby residents submitted eight letters of objection to the proposal.

As a result the application has been referred to the authority's development control committee for determination on Thursday night.

A planning officer's report tells councillors: "The property is a large detached two-storey house on a corner plot, in an established residential area.

"This is a retrospective application, to construct a single storey, pitch-roofed extension to the rear elevation, within the rear garden.

"Facing materials noted on the submitted plan are artificial stone and Marley Modern tiles (to match those of the host dwelling).

"It should be noted that an extension of this size in this location in respect to the rear elevation and property boundary would ordinarily be permitted development.

"However, the chosen facing material is artificial stone and despite part of the front elevation plus the external chimney on the side of the dwelling being faced in artificial stone, it is arguable as to whether the chosen facing material of the extension is ‘similar’ to that used on the host property, the predominant material being render.

"Eight individual letters of objection have been received from three separate households.

"They are concerned about the size and bulk of the finished property; inappropriate scale, proportions, materials and detailing; n extension onto an existing extension; extension appears larger than stated dimensions; and potential breaches of building regulations.

"The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of the relevant local plan policies and material considerations.

"It should also be noted that there is a fallback position in that an extension of similar dimensions could be constructed under permitted development rights if the materials were considered “similar” to the existing house.

"It is therefore recommended that planning permission be granted subject to two conditions."