PLANS to build four new homes in the grounds of an existing property in Barnoldswick, have been refused permission by the West Craven Committee of Pendle Council.

Councillors at their monthly meeting this week in Salterforth Village Hall, went along with the planning officer's recommendation to refuse the scheme for 43 Park Avenue on grounds of design, inadequate site access and harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area.

The meeting heard that proposed was the building of a pair of semi-detached homes on either side of the existing property, which would also get a new garage. The highways authority had raised an objection on highways safety grounds because of the inadequate access arrangements.

In his report to the committee, Neil Watson, assistant director of planning, described the proposed new homes as poorly designed.

"The design of the proposed dwellings are of a design which could be found on any modern housing estate and have not been carefully designed to consider their surroundings.

"The proposed development represents poor design which would result in less than substantial harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area, which is not outweighed by public benefits."

In addition the site access for the proposed dwellings in addition to the existing house was not adequate, resulting in highway safety danger.