®Planning appeal decision
42 Fore Street, Lower Darwen, Blackburn, BB3 0QD
Planning appeal 3366723 at 42 Fore Street, Lower Darwen, Blackburn, BB3 0QD (Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council) was allowed on 4 February 2026 by Inspector Braithwaite J, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: whether the proposed use of the dwelling as a children's home would result in a material change in the character of the use of the property.
Use of a C3a dwelling for a children's home for a maximum of two children with two carers sleeping overnight working on a rota basis
- Appeal type
- ldc · Lawful Development Certificate
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- community-institutional · Minor Dwellings
- Inspector
- Braithwaite J
- Postcode
- BB3 0QD
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- whether the proposed use of the dwelling as a children's home would result in a material change in the character of the use of the property
What decided it
The proposed use would not, as a matter of planning judgement, cause any greater level of disturbance or effect on local amenity than a C3 use, and therefore would not constitute a material change of use.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy DM39
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
More decisions in Blackburn with Darwen
The authority’s record since 2016 · every decision in 2026
- Allowed28 August 20266007521Bank Lane, Blackburn, BB1 2AP
- Dismissed22 July 2026600688512 Coniston Road, Blackburn, BB1 5NP
- Dismissed2 June 2026337059040 Hillcrest Road, Blackburn, Lancashire , BB2 5LF
- Dismissed10 April 20266004038Ramwells Barn, Edge Lane, Turton, Bolton, BL7 0NJ
- Split Decision1 April 202633692691 Derby Street, Blackburn, BB1 5HR
The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.