AN appeal against a refusal to build three houses in Salterforth has been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

Michelle Town had appealed against a decision to refuse the building of three homes on a parcel of vacant land adjacent to 8 Park Avenue, which is on the edge of a cluster of 23 residential properties accessed from Earby Road via two unmade tracks.

Planning inspector Michael Moffoot agreed with the original decision to turn down the proposal on the grounds of highway safety.

In his report, he said visibility for drivers emerging from the site was “significantly below standard” and “particularly hazardous for oncoming vehicles”.

He also said that “the appellant has not satisfactorily demonstrated that the development would not be harmful to protected species” (bats) and therefore dismissed the appeal.