HUNDREDS of residents packed a meeting and dozens were left outside as a campaign was mounted against a travellers’ site plan.

Around 300 people filled Lower Darwen Community Centre to have their say on the plan for the former Lawnmower Specialists site in Sandy Lane.

An online petition has attracted more than 1,000 signatures after a move by the new owner to construct caravans on the site.

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John Loveridge wants permission from Blackburn with Darwen Council to change the use of part of the plot and erect one static caravan, three touring caravans and an amenity building.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun John Slater, who chaired the meeting, said: “If the application is approved, down the line, it would have a detrimental affect on Lower Darwen and could affect people wanting to come and live here because of the perception of what is on the site.”

One resident, who spoke at the meeting, said: “Everybody here has concerns about this and this is going to happen on our doorstep.

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“This plan is going to decrease out house prices.”

During Monday night’s meeting, held in Fore Street, Coun Slater urged residents to send their own letters of objection to the council’s planning department, citing planning grounds including traffic, the environment and nuisance.

He told the audience: “It’s great to see so many of you here to talk about an issue that we are all against.

“It’s fantastic that so many people are interested and that will give our objections a lot of weight.

“I would call on you all to sign a hard copy petition and to send your own letters to the council’s planning department telling them of your concerns.

“This is a complex situation but I promise that we will not give up this fight until the bitter end.

“If this is approved then it will not be because of a lack of trying and fighting on our parts.

“Everybody here knows me and they know that I don’t give up without a hard fight and I will not let this application be passed.

“I want to address the planning committee ahead of their vote to express the concern that you all feel.”

Chris Holdsworth, 32, from Dominica Avenue, said: “Obviously it means a lot to people around here and most people seem to be against the application.

“I hope that the feelings of the residents come across the council and the planning officers and that will help the application fail.”

Coun Slater said another meeting would be held on a date still to be arranged but ahead of the December 5 deadline for sending objections to the council.

The meeting was told that a planning committee date to discuss the application had not yet been set.

The community centre was full before the 6.30pm start with around 50 people forced to stand outside while the meeting took place.

Speaking after the meeting, Coun Slater said: “It was brilliant that so many people came on Monday night but it was a shame that some people had to stand outside.

“We will get a bigger venue for the meeting next week so everybody can be inside and hear what is being said.

“I’m hopeful of a positive outcome when this plan is eventually voted on by the council.”

Mike Carr, who is acting as the agent for Mr Loveridge, said: “I think that it’s a perfectly reasonable proposal.

“I expect this application to be approved at a future date, no problem.”

Mr Carr previously said that he did not foresee any problems with the neighbours.

He also said that the applicant planned to live on the site with his immediate family of eight and would retain the business use.