RESIDENTS in Oswaldtwistle have hit out at a decision not to take action against a former mill being used as a waste dump.

Nearby residents have been backed by the local councillor in calling on Lancashire County Council to look again at the ‘mounting waste’ at Vine Mill in the Brookside Industrial Estate.

Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who is a member of both Hyndburn and Lancashire County councils, has said that it is ‘disgraceful’ that no action is being taken against the fly tippers.

In an email to a nearby resident, who has asked not to be named, the county council has said that, following a site visit, it would not be in the public interest for action to be taken.

Cllr Britcliffe said: “I think that it’s disgraceful that the county council are condoning this type of action .

“In 2012 the area was full of flies because so much waste had been dumped there.

“It’s like the county council is turning a blind eye to the situation and saying that they are going to allow it as planning permission will eventually be given .”

The resident who has complained to the council said: “Oswaldtwistle may not be important to the county council but it is to me and it is shameful to allow this site to become some dumping ground .

“The people who live here deserve to be treated better than this.”

In an email to the resident, principal planning officer Rob Hope said: “Although no planing permission is in place for the storage of waste, I was of the opinion that it would not be expedient to pursue enforcement action given the historical use of the site and the fact that it appeared to be causing no harm to local amenity or the environment.

“I have spoken with Glen More [planning enforcement officer] at Hyndburn Borough Council who shares the opinion that it would not be in the public interest at this time to pursue enforcement action for the other activities at the site.

“Should the situation change then I will review the situation.”