A ROAD built on greenbelt land, illegal excavations and the erection of a flag pole are just a few of the developments carried out by residents and businesses without permission from council bosses.

Hyndburn Borough Council revealed it receives one complaint a day from vigilant members of the public who have spotted changes being made to buildings and land with-out planning permission.

The figure of 96 complaints in a three month period, was revealled at a meeting of the borough’s development control committee.

Council enforcement officers have investigated all the complaints, some of which were found not to have breached regulations, while others such as the flag pole at Green Howarth Golf Club and the traveller site in Whinney Hill Road are still under investigation.

But action has been taken against others, including A1 Skip Hire in Holme Road, Clayton-le-Moors, which has been advised to restore a road it created back to greenbelt.

A banner at 194-196 Blackburn Road, Accrington was also removed after officers intervened.

The figures were released for the first time as a result of a new method of recording and publishing them.

Coun Lynn Wilson said: “It seems rather unfortunate that there are 96 calls under investigation because there has been some sort of breach.

“If there is a breach they don’t even get a fine, they only get a fine if it goes through the court.”

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, council leader Peter Britcliffe said: “It is a problem, though not one that is unique to Hyndburn.

“When these matters are drawn to our attention of course we have to investigate and put matters right.

“People really do need to check whether or not their developments will need permission.

“It will make life much easier for them and everyone else to get the permission beforehand rather than have to pull down an unsuitable development later on.”

Planning officers had a variety of unapproved developments reported to them including boundary walls, garden decking, siting of caravans, home owners extending into green belt, and putting new shop fronts and shutters on businesses.