THE decision by Blackburn with Darwen Council to approve the building of a new 30-bedroom nursing home, by Brightcrest Ltd, on Whitehall Road, Darwen, highlights the inconsistent application of planning policy.

Integrity is obviously not part of the planning department's brief.

After attending several planning committee meetings regarding this application our suspicions of the inability of some councillors to understand the enormity or consequences associated with this development were sadly confirmed.

Their slavish adherence to party unity suppresses all debate. Councillor Smith's prejudiced outbursts confirms that Old Labour attitudes reign supreme.

The politics of envy are the norm and declining standards at a higher cost have proved to be their goal.

Finally we would like to thank Couns David and Karima Foster for their loyalty to the Whitehall residents and their unrelenting efforts on our behalf to prevent this monstrous business venture going ahead - sadly to no avail.

C MOLLOY (Mrs), Whitehall Road, Darwen.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.