CHANGING the time of a council's planning meeting will mean that members of the public are shut out, according to opposition councillors.

For the past couple of years the meetings have been held by Blackburn with Darwen Council at 7pm on Thursdays.

But the new ruling coalition has brought them forward an hour and changed it to Tuesdays.

Ousted chairman of planning, Coun Jim Smith, hit out at the decision.

But the leader of the council, Coun Colin Rigby, said that other hi-profile meetings like full council and the executive board were held at 6pm and that it was unusual for it to have been held at 7pm.

Coun Smith said: "Planning is the most emotional subject going, so what do they want to do?

"Hold it earlier so that less people can get there.

"It is disgraceful."

Coun Colin Rigby said: "The bottom line is that if you have got a planning issue or problem you are going to get there."