A DARWEN householder has been granted planning permission for the extension of his garden into 'scrubland' at the back of his home.

Sergio Arnone's application for the scheme at his property 'Newlands' at 61 Manor Road was considered by councillors as he is related to a town hall employee.

On Thursday night, Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee approved the part-retrospective proposal.

A report to the committee by planning manager Gavin Prescott said: "The land to the east side of the residential property - 61 Manor Road, Darwen - was sold to the applicant by the council’s property section in September 2023.

"The land to the north/rear of the application site was gained by adverse possession by the applicant through the relevant legal recourse with the Land Registry.

"Planning enforcement colleagues visited the site in January 2024 following complaints received in December 2023, regarding the installation of CCTV equipment on the temporary Heras perimeter fencing.

"The applicant was advised by enforcement colleagues the change of use of land to residential garden would require the benefit of planning permission.

"The parcel of land is described as scrubland on the application form.

"It was, up until the involvement of the applicant, mostly covered by soft landscape and shrubbery.

"A change of use of land to residential garden and erection of gates/lighting columns to the front associated with number 61 Manor Road is proposed. No other building operations are proposed.

"The proposed change of use of the land would adjoin the existing side/rear of the domestic garden area."

A condition of the planning approval specifies the land can only be used as a garden.