CONCERN has been expressed at work on a proposed traveller site still awaiting planning permission.

But developers say residents have got the wrong end of the stick.

Plans were lodged with Hyndburn Council last month for a family caravan site at Back Lane in Baxenden.

People nearby say work has already begun on the site despite the outcome of the application for four chalets and four day rooms not being determined.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “They put the first vans in last year - November I think - and applied for planning permission.

“But it won’t go to the committee until February. In the meantime they’ve increased the number of vans to nine.

“Loads of concrete went up on Sunday.”

According to the agent for landowner Jim Smith, the concrete which was delivered was for foundations for two agricultural buildings on the site, for which planning permission was granted last year.

The latest application by Mr Smith is for four permanent pitches and four day rooms.

He says the proposed site was last used as a hardstanding car park for sheepdog trials.

A Hyndburn Council spokesman said: "A planning application for the development of a family caravan site to provide 4 pitches and 4 day rooms to provide settled family accommodation and support the agricultural use of the land, on land at Back Lane, Baxenden, has been submitted to the council.

"The application can be viewed on the council’s website and will be determined by the council’s planning committee.

"At the moment it is likely that the application will be presented to the meeting of Planning Committee on February 27 2019 at 2pm, but if people are wishing to attend that meeting it is recommended that they first check the agenda for the meeting which is also available on the council’s website.”

According to documents submitted as part of the application, Mr Smith and his family own and manage the site, using the agricultural holding for livestock rearing.

A planning statement submitted as part of the application reads: “Mr Smith and his family are settled travellers who have lived in the borough for many years, with many of the family members born and raised locally.

“The family have considered various other sites within the borough, particularly the site at Whinney Hill. However, they consider that this site is not adequate to meet their needs.

“Furthermore, the family occupied this site for many years and believe they cannot return due to a number of problems and altercations with other occupants of the site.

“In addition, the site at Charter Street has been considered but does not have enough room to meet the family’s needs.”

Each pitch would be made up of one chalet or static home, one touring van and a day room.

The statement adds: “No boundary walls would be constructed and landscaping is proposed along the site’s northern boundary with the public footpath, which would not be impeded or altered in any way.

“The family own, work and manage the site that is the subject of this planning application, which provides suitable land for their animals.

“The current site they occupy and other sites considered cannot accommodate the animals.”

The family currently lives on land off Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

The application is due to be discussed by the council’s planning committee next month.