A PETITION with 1,250 signatures has been sent to Blackburn with Darwen Council over contentious plans to create a traveller site in Lower Darwen.

The protest campaign, which has the backing of local MP Jake Berry, has seen members of the community speak out, at a number of public meetings, against the proposed travellers’ site.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The council is due to make a decision later this year on the planning application to turn the former Lawnmower Specialists in Sandy Lane into a caravan site.

The petition will be discussed at a meeting at the town hall from 6.30pm on Thursday, March 16.

Applicant John Loveridge had sought planning permission to change the use of the plot and erect one static caravan, three touring caravans and an amenity building.

But he withdrew the plan in December.

Mr Loveridge then moved caravans on to the site and reapplied for planning permission. He used a loophole in the planning process which prevents the caravans from being evicted until the application has been dealt with by the council.

Mr Berry, whose constituency includes Lower Darwen, said: “This is a completely inappropriate development for the area and I urge all of the councillors on the committee to reject it on the strength of public opinion when it goes before the committee soon.”

The petition comes after dozens of residents packed into Trinity Church in Sandy Lane to voice their opposition to the proposals in January.

At the meeting, residents opposed the plans very strongly.

Will Straw, Labour’s prospective parliamentary candidate for Rossendale and Darwen, said: “I am hoping that the council will listen hard to the views of the local residents, particularly in relation to the impact on infrastructure, noise and whether the site would be safe under the existing plans.

“I have been in contact with a number of residents and have advised them on how to object to the application in line with the legal process of planning.

“There is clearly a strong sense of feeling about this application.”

The original application was submitted to the council in 2014 but was withdrawn following a number of public meetings.

However, the application was resubmitted to the council last month.

The Lancashire Telegraph was unable to reach Mr Loveridge for comment.