10:00am Thursday 25th February 2010
By Tyrone Marshall
RESIDENTS and traders are fighting plans to create a gipsy caravan site in the middle of their town.
A petition containing more than 50 signatures has been collected against the plans to create a permanent caravan site in Padiham.
However, all borough councils are committed to making provision for gipsy communities.
The site, at the rear Peel Street and Pendle Street, was formerly a builders yard and is currently vacant.
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.
But Paul Howard, of Peel Street, who lives directly in front of the site earmarked for the caravans, said he was concerned about the impact it would have on his two children.
“I have two young boys aged 11 and 14 and they are at the age where they are very impressionable,” he said.
“I don’t want them falling in with the wrong crowd or getting into any trouble.
"If these families were racing around on scrambler bikes then my children would be interested in that.
“The noise nuisance is another major issue. The site is that close to my house that if they are up until the early hours of the morning then my children are going to be unable to sleep.
“They are both at critical stages of their education and I can’t have them being kept up all hours because of noise.”
A campaign to try and stop the gipsy site has been started by local councillor Frank Cant, who has been collecting signatures for the petition and distributing leaflets to local residents.
Coun Cant said: “Having spoken to many residents about the plans, I think they are all against it.
“There are very good planning reasons for it to be rejected, but I know certain people have gut reactions about these sort of things.
“It would be very, very dangerous for access and would create noise and anti-social behaviour problems.
“The site is not big enough for three caravans, it is an awkward shape and I just can’t see how three caravans will fit there.”
Local businesses including the chip shop and newsagents have all joined the campaign against the plans.
Karen McEwan, of Pendle Street, said the plans would make parking problems worse on the street.
She said: “Nine times out of ten you can’t park outside your house anyway.
"This will only make things worse. The family are going to have cars and will have visitors who have to park somewhere.
“There is simply not enough room to have the site here.
"I am not against travellers but this is not the right location for them. There isn’t enough access space for them.”
Residents have also spoken of the impact a caravan site would have on the local community.
Kelly Marshall, of Peel Street, said: “The site isn’t big enough and it will create tension between the family and the rest of the street.”
Despite the protests, the council could be in a position where they have to approve the site, because of a Government policy that obliges local authorities to allow some gipsy sites in their area.
A spokesman for the applicant said: “A Government circular states Local Planning Authorities are required to make adequate provision for gipsy sites in their development plans.
“Currently there are no identified sites for gipsies and travellers within Burnley.
“In conclusion 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.”
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