HOME-BREWER Barry Tyson is toasting his success today after winning permission to build a micro-brewery in his garage.

Barry, of Pole Lane, Darwen, applied for planning consent to brew 72 gallons of beer per week.

But in January, Blackburn with Darwen Council refused his bid, against planners' advice. It was felt the proposal would have a negative impact on the character of the area due to noise, odour and activity.

However, Barry was determined, and appealed against the decision.

Now the government inspector who chaired the appeal hearing has decided in his favour, stating that the scale of the operation would limit the impact.

Barry said: "I'm glad it's finally happening now. It's almost 12 months since I first applied for permission. Once it is up and running, people won't even notice it.

"It will be a nice tidy little brewery in the garage but I think people thought there would be lorries pulling up all the time and barrels everywhere. I think it will be fine as long as we keep the noise down and it does not smell.

"The brewery will be called Hopstar and we hope the first brew will be on September 22."

Mr Tyson plans to brew once a week and the following day the beer will be picked up by the landlord of the local Black Horse Hotel, who will serve it to his regulars.

A report from the inspector said: "Odour could be controlled by a ventilation and extraction system.

"Other than delivery of materials and collection of the finished product, all of the operations would be contained within the building.

"Given the nature and scale of the proposed operation there would not be a material increase in traffic."

The appeal was allowed subject to a number of conditions including its use only by Mr Tyson, for a period of two years or until he moved out of the house, no sales from the garage and no materials or equipment associated with the brewing process stored outside the garage.

Darwen councillor Fred Slater said residents he had spoken to were unhappy with the decision.