A MOVE by the new owner of land in Lower Darwen to install four live-in caravans for his family has produced a protest petition signed by more than 500 people.

John Loveridge has submitted a planning application to Blackburn with Darwen council for the change of use of part of the former Lawnmower Specialists site in Sandy Lane.

It proposes the “retention of existing commercial use with part change of use to accommodate one static caravan, three touring caravans and erection of amenity building”.

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Nearby residents have mounted an e-petition entitled Decline planning permission for the proposed Gipsy site in Lower Darwen – which has attracted more than 500 names.

Fernhurst ward Tory councillor Denise Gee said she had received dozens of phone calls from residents opposed to the plan.

The e-petition to be sent to Blackburn with Darwen planners says it aims “to ensure that Lower Darwen and the surrounding areas are not affected by the proposed planning permission for a Gipsy site on Sandy Lane”.

It says: “If planning permission is granted it will decrease the value of house prices in what is at present a sought after area to live.”

Mr Loveridge’s agent Mike Carr said his client planned to live on the site with his immediate family of eight and would retain the business use.

He said: “He wants the caravans for himself and his family as a ‘work-live’ situation and it will not be a transit or a commercial caravan site. There will be no coming and going or noise or nuisance problems.

“The applicant comes from a travelling heritage and likes to live in caravans.

“This will be a home for his and his family rather than buying a house in a nearby street for the same purpose.

“I do not foresee any problems with the neighbours and the applicant’s residential occupation of the site will be the same as any one else in the borough.”

Cllr Gee said: “Since this application went in my phone has been inundated with dozens of calls from people opposed to this scheme.

“I shall hold a meeting with residents.

“Mr Loveridge has rights but so do the people who live in my ward.”