11:38am Monday 22nd March 2010
By Tyrone Marshall
COUNCIL bosses are considering whether to take action after three caravans moved in to vacant land in Padiham.
A planning application for a gipsy caravan site at the rear of Peel Street and Pendle Street was submitted last month, but caravans have moved in to the former builders yard before a decision has been made.
Burnley Council said it was aware of the situation and was deciding what action to take.
That could include enforcement action to remove the caravans from the land, the council said.
Applicant Martyn Ward, of Winnie Hill Road, Accrington, said that the proposed site would be screened by a two metre-high boundary fence which would ensure the privacy of nearby houses.
He also said that it would not impact on Green Belt or farm land in the area.
He added: “It is reasoned that the proposal provides a suitable gipsy caravan site and would assist in meeting the demand and need to provide gipsy and traveller sites within the borough of Burnley.”
However, a campaign led by Gawthorpe ward councillor Frank Cant against the site has seen posters placed in shop windows and a petition has collected more than 500 signatures.
The proposal involves placing three caravans on the site and a small single-storey building for shower and toilet facilities.
The site would accommodate one family of up to 23 people.
Two car parking spaces would be provided on site.
A decision on whether to approve the plans is set to be made on April 2.
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