COUNCILLORS are backing a riding therapy centre's bid to hang on to a £176,000 lottery grant to create a study centre for special needs students.

Hyndburn development services committee went against officers' advice and supported plans for the rebuilding of a recently demolished barn at Lords House Farm, Rishton.

Planning chiefs had urged councillors to refuse planning permission for the new building in the green belt at last night's development services meeting.

The Secretary of State now has three weeks to call the application in for his own decision as it is a departure from the development plan.

Yard manager Kath Thacker said: "We are very pleased and grateful for councillors' support.

"We know so many people are going to benefit from the project when it is finished hopefully in the Autumn."

The project will create a classroom for up to 20 students, a kitchen and canteen area for trainees and first floor residential accommodation. Students with learning disabilities would be able to study horse and animal care, and there would be other animal and educational courses for special schools and adults with learning difficulties.

Council leader George Slynn said: "There are special circumstances and a special needs reason to reject the officers' recommendation and support this development.

"It has accessed around £180,000 of lottery funding which can't be drawn down unless they get planning permission.

"I don't want to put at risk this type of development or the work being carried out.

"On balance the social benefits and social need prevail, and I wish the the project every success."

Councillors want conditions attached to the planning consent including building materials, landscaping, and restricting the building's use for special needs activities.

Some of the temporary animal stables at the riding therapy centre for the disabled need to be removed, and the centre has agreed to tone down the sandy coloured surface of the car park, and limit the use of riding arena floodlights to particular times.

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