A DECISION on controversial plans for a mock Tudor-style block of flats and maisonettes in a prestigious residential area of Blackburn has been deferred by council planners.

Thirty-five angry residents from the Meins Road area packed into the planning and highways committee to hear councillors discuss plans by Crowther Homes for a two and three-storey structure with 17 flats and 10 maisonettes.

But committee chairman Coun Dave Smith merely moved deferral to the April 18 meeting without any discussion taking place.

Meins Road Area Residents' Association chairman spokesman Michael Saulet, of Heathfield Park, said residents would seek a judicial review if the council finally approved the plans.

They claim the proper planning procedures have not been adhered to.

And they are particularly annoyed that the council has spent almost half a million pounds drawing up a draft local plan and now appeared to be ignoring parts of it. Residents have hired a barrister and a town planner to argue the case, and printed colour brochures setting out the arguments.

Protesters claim the backing of 98 per cent of people living near the site of the former Heathfield School.

They say the block would be out of character with the area and would not have enough parking spaces.

There are also fears the development could set a precedent for future applications for infill development .

The association also hired a planning consultant to carry out a traffic survey at the junction of Meins Road and Preston New Road and say the council should have consulted police and the county council over the traffic issue.

Members also canvassed local estate agents and claim there is no demand for the type of accommodation planned.

Council planning officers say the development would be acceptable in land use terms.

The building would be constructed using a variety of materials to break up the frontage.

They claim there would be enough parking space with 46 places in a basement and a further nine spaces outside.

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