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Anger over Freckleton home snub
A DISABLED businessman has slam-med Fylde Council for blocking his plans to build a bungalow on his land at Freckleton creek.
Arnie Holt, 62, who owns Poolside Boat Centre on a 17 acre site in the village, wanted to build the home after having his right foot and part of his leg amputated due to diabetes.
Mr Holt, who currently lives in a three-story house on Naze Lane East with his wife Pam, says he needs the new property to improve his quality of life – and fears he will be unable to supervise his business if he is forced to move away.
But his application was refused by Fylde councillors last week following an objection from Freckleton parish council.
Mr Hold said: "It seems they would rather not have a bungalow there and see me suffer.
"Two years ago I had my foot amputated, then 12 months later I had my left leg amputated.
"It wasn't too bad losing my foot because I could still get around, but losing my leg was horrendous.
Complain
"I have to spend a lot of time in a wheelchair and the house just isn't suitable."
Mr Holt, who was granted planning permission for his current house after his business was vandalised, employs eight people at his boat building firm.
The home was built before Mr Holt had the operations.
He is now writing to the council to complain about the decision and is planning to submit proposals for a smaller bungalow.
He added: "This is a wonderful place to live and I don't want to move somewhere else."
Council planners said Mr Holt had failed to demonstrate "sufficient justification" for an additional home in the countryside.
Coun Trevor Fiddler, chairman of Fylde's planning committee, said members had discussed the plans at length.
Dr Fiddler, who is also on Freckleton parish council, said: "Councillors were very sympathetic to Mr Holt but thought he could carry on supervising his business from a few hundred meters away in the centre of the village."
He said Mr Holt's first home had been granted planning permission because of his business.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
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Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
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