MORE than 200 objections have been received against controversial plans for a traveller site in Baxenden.

The proposal to create a four-pitch caravan site at Back Lane in Baxenden is set to go before Hyndburn Council’s planning committee next week.

Part retrospective planning permission is sought for the change of use of the land to create a family caravan site to provide accommodation for four families.

The applicant and his family moved onto the site in December 2018 and have occupied three pitches, with a larger touring caravan currently in place of the proposed static caravan/chalet.

As part of a consultation, 269 letters of objection have been received by the council, as well as 12 letters of support for the application.

Members are being asked to consider refusing the application because officers think it constitutes inappropriate development of green belt land.

According to officers, the considerations in favour of development do not clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt.

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.

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

A report to go before the committee states: "In 2018 planning permission was granted for the development of two agricultural buildings on the site to support the applicant’s animals.

"One of the buildings was to be used for animals and the other for the storage of agricultural equipment.

"In late December 2018 the applicant and their family moved onto the site in six touring caravans and erected four day rooms that are still present, on concrete bases.

"As well as cars and work-related vehicles, there is also children’s play equipment and dog kennels on the site.

"The family that live on the site are a local family that previously occupied a site in Oswaldtwistle that they believed was unsuitable and did not meet their needs.

"Even if the land was treated as previously developed, the proposed development has a greater impact on the openness of the green belt than any existing development on the site.

"National Planning Policy Framework advises that planning authorities should regard the construction of new buildings as inappropriate in the green belt unless they meet the criteria.

"Inappropriate development is harmful to the green belt and should not be approved, except in very special circumstances.

"The proposed development includes a number of buildings that would not be used for a purpose that would be considered acceptable in the green belt."

A final decision on whether to approve the application will be taken by committee members at the meeting next week.