PLANS for a bungalow in Middleton have been rejected by the Planning Inspectorate - two weeks after they gave a category 'C' prison at Pontin's the thumbs up. The Inspectorate claim Mort Allan's bungalow will be "detrimental to the character and appearance of the surrounding area." The parish council, the local chamber of trade, MP Geraldine Smith plus neighbours have all supported Mr Allan's plans but the Inspectorate have backed Lancaster's city council and thrown out the proposal.

The proprietor of Sulby Kennels in Carr Lane, Mr Allan (pictured) has lived in Middleton for 30 years and is angry that his retirement plans have been put in jeopardy.

"I've got a caravan park to the left, an industrial site across the road, I can see both Heysham power stations from my window and right opposite there's Pontin's Camp which, thanks to the Planning Inspectorate, could become a prison. How can my bungalow have an adverse effect on the character of the area? It's total rubbish. I need to retire and I don't want to give up my home. I need to build a bungalow to go with the kennels, it's the law."

Regulations require that the kennels have 24-hour supervision and a live-in warden but despite four requests for planning permission, Mr Allan has been refused every time.

"I can't believe that a £26 million prison won't have an impact on the surrounding countryside but a bungalow will. I've had backing from loads of people, in fact, the only objection to my plans have come from the council. If the business has to close it will put four people out of work. It makes no sense whatsoever. I'm sure they make it up as they go along."

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