A SICK note plea by Burnley Council leader Stuart Caddy for a planning application to be deferred was turned down after his colleagues were warned further delay could result in an allegation of maladministration.

Coun Caddy, who is off work ill, was unable to attend last night's meeting of the development control and highways sub-committee to speak on a planning application for a car sales building at Motorpoint, Rosegrove Lane. Instead he sent a letter on behalf of the ward councillors and residents who he said wanted to object to the siting of the building. He described the proposed six-metre high building as an obstacle facing the residents every time they looked through their front windows. He asked for the motor dealership building to be located further from the houses.

The committee agreed to give delegated power to officers to approve the application but to ask the company to consider re-siting the building further from the houses.