It resembles Colditz, says objector to proposal for vulnerable women's home

A LARGE detached house is to become a supported home for six vulnerable women despite a nearby resident's fears that measures to protect neighbours' privacy could make it the equivalent of the infamous Colditz Second World War PoW camp.

- BY BILL JACOBS Local Democracy Reporting Service

The claim was made as Hyndburn Council's planning committee approved the conversion of 4 Blackburn Road, Rishton, by London-based Active Care Group.

Councillors were debating the proposal at the request of the ward's councillor Kate Walsh who expressed fears about traffic and parking problems the change could cause.

The authority's chief planning officer Adam Birkett told the meeting on Wednesday night that the property was of three storeys with an attached single-storey building, a raised paved patio/terrace along the rear of the main building, substantial grounds and a hard-surfaced car park.

He said it has been used for many years as a social services office but had reverted to use as a single family house.