RESIDENTS in Rising Bridge have joined forces to oppose plans to house a permanent Traveller site in the village.

Hundreds met to voice their anger at a meeting held at Baxenden Cricket Club on Wednesday evening, while others joined the online Rising Bridge Community group. Together they are rallying against Rossendale Council’s plans to create a permanent home for caravans at Baxenden Chemicals, for which a public consultation has now been launched. Conservative county councillor for Haslingden and Helmshore, David Stansfield, said the proposal was part of a larger land review being conducted by the council.

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“They have to find out where they can build,” he said. “The council have gone around a lot of sites – not all of which belong to the council.”

Cllr Stansfield said the proposal had upset residents. He said: “I don’t even think they own the land. People are not happy about this and I can’t blame them.”

Five Traveller families would be welcomed on a permanent basis at the site. Caravans ‘should be’ located at the far end of the site rather than close to housing, according to the proposals.

“It is very well located for the primary road network and close to local services and utilities,” documents revealed.

“The site is adjacent to woodland and National Cycle route six, and impact of local residents is expected to be minor. Good landscaping would help to screen the site.

“It is recognised there are issues with respect to flooding, possible ground contamination and proximity to a chemical plant. It is considered that, subject to detailed consideration, these are all capable of resolution.”

John Lord from Baxenden Chemicals was also present at the meeting. He told those present the company only found out about the plans on Monday. He said: “We do definitely own that land. It’s ours and that is our private access road. There is also a public footpath running across that land. "Our current opinion is the site is better suited to future employment use rather than a Traveller site. Thanks to the people in this room for telling us (about the plans) because we did not know. We had no part in this at all.”

The meeting – arranged at just 24 hours’ notice – also heard concerned residents voice their anger at the plans, which they argued could disrupt wildlife, including roosting bats, road safety, and the impact on nearby services.

The consultation will end at 5pm on September 7.