A COUNCILLOR set to become mayor has lost an appeal against her own council which denied her retrospective planning consent for a conservatory she started to have built without permission.

Coun Dorothy Walsh reported Blackburn with Darwen Council to the Planning Inspectorate after her retrospective applic-ation was rejected.

Councillors, including several from her own Labour Party, threw out the plan after being told it contravened regulations.

Although the conservatory cannot stay, it is still unclear how much of an extension the councillor will be allowed to have.

Today she said it was "not the end of it", and that she was discussing the possibilities with council officers.

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods, said : "The inspector carefully considered the proposal and decided the extension was unacceptable because of its effect on neighbouring property.

"We will discuss other possibilities with Councillor Walsh."

Coun Walsh will take over as mayor from Coun Yusuf Jan-Virmani at next Thursday's meeting of the full council.

Just a week after becoming the borough's first citizen, Coun Walsh will have one of the highlights of her mayoral year when she welcomes the Queen to Blackburn on Thursday, May 25.

In August 2005 builders had begun work on her Hereford Road, Whitebirk, home when planners ordered it stopped, as she did not have permission.

At the time, she claimed that she did not think she needed permission, despite having attended planning committee meetings.

Such issues only go to committee when there are objections, or when councillors want to build.

Councillors ruled against her after being told the conservatory would be a second extension to her home, and would set a precedent for other homes in the area.

Council leader Coun Kate Hollern said: "I think it clearly demonstrates that everyone is treated the same. This was of absolute importance to me."