Adam Barcroft was granted backdated planning permission by councillors on Thursday night for the development at his family home in Greenacres, Edgworth.
This was despite his neighbour Chris Holland, from the adjoining Dell House, telling Blackburn with Darwen Council’s planning committee the alterations were a “stressful over-development of a residential garden”.
Councillors approved Mr Barcroft’s application for ‘a new garden room/outbuilding in rear garden, erection of pergola on levelled garden area to the rear of the property, and the creation of new hard surface area for artificial grass adjacent to the garden room’.
The proposal was part-retrospective and followed a visit by planning enforcement officers.
Mr Barcroft told the committee: “I live with my partner Emily and our two children, Callie, who is four, and Elliot, who is two.
“We moved to Edgworth in 2022 to grow our family in a place with great community spirit, open space, and a wonderful school.
“In July last year, our world changed overnight. Elliot, then only 15 months old, was diagnosed with stage-four high-risk neuroblastoma – an aggressive childhood cancer.
“Since then, he has endured months of intensive treatment, and he is now on a maintenance programme that will continue for years.
“Our lives have changed forever, and like any parent would, we’ve adapted everything to give him the safest and best quality of life.
“There are two main reasons.
“First, I needed a workspace at home. I previously worked in London two to three days a week, but with Elliot’s needs, I had to be present. Emily also had to leave her finance job.
“The office at the bottom of the garden gives me a quiet, separate space to work while remaining close and available when needed.
“Second, and more importantly, we wanted to create a safe, usable garden for Elliot. Before, the space wasn’t practical for a young child.
“By levelling the middle section with artificial grass, we’ve created a flat, secure play area to use year-round.
“It has made a huge difference to his well-being during long periods when he couldn’t leave home, and continues not to be able to go to nursery.
“This feels very personal.
“I hope today allows us to draw a line under this nonsensical pursuit and focus on what truly matters: caring for our son and giving our children a safe, happy home”
Objecting to the changes, Dr Holland said the developments, which he had previously described to planning officers as akin to ‘a concrete jungle’, were “totally unsuitable” for a residential back garden and had “seriously impacted” his home.
He told councillors he believes the proposed pergola addition is actually a building.
Planning manager Gavin Prescott said that the amended plans before the committee were acceptable.
Committee chair Cllr Dave Smith said the changes could ‘hardly be seen at all from the neighbouring garden’, and the committee gave the plans the go-ahead.
Comments are closed.