LAND once blamed for a ‘plague of flies’ in Oswaldtwistle after illegal decaying rubbish was dumped there is subject to a new planning application – for the storage of recycled plastic.

The former NIPA Laboratories site, in Nook Lane, could also house a static caravan ‘for site security’, documents lodged with the county council show.

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Councillors in the town have now expressed their concern about the future of the site, which was blamed for huge swarms of flies in August 2012.

Cllr Judith Addison said: “A resident raised with me concerns about the application.

“She is concerned because of all the illegal activity which has taken place around that area over the past three years with regard to unauthorised tipping, leading to a plague of flies in Oswaldtwistle.

“She is afraid the plastic materials, which it is proposed to store and recycle on site, could be highly toxic.”

She added: “Having looked quickly at the case file online... reference is made to a possible linked application for year-round residential caravan use and year-round storage and maintenance of fairground machinery and vehicles.

“There have been problems for a few years in St Oswald’s ward with traveller issues, both at Sough Lane and Moss Lane, leading to planning appeals and/or public enquiries.”

Cllr Peter Britcliffe said: “As county councillor for Oswaldtwistle, I would like to express my own concerns about this development which are admirably summed up by colleague at Hyndburn Council, Cllr Judith Addison.”

The application, made by Worldwide Waste Management in Manchester, would also see 2.4m high security fencing installed and five car parking spaces added.

Three full-time workers would be employed between 9am and 5pm.

Documents lodged with the council show an assessment was carried out to assess the “feasibility of using the site for year-round residential caravan use, together with year-round use... for storage and maintenance of fairground machinery and rides.

In a design and access statement, Worldwide Waste Management said: “The site has been acquired to use for sorting UPVC material and the storage and distribution in bales and production waste (granular) supplied in bulk bags.

“There will be no loose materials stored on site and there will be no dangerous or hazardous substances/materials involved.

“All production and shedding of the material will continue to be done at the Manchester site.”

Nobody at the company could be reached for a comment yesterday.