CONCERNED residents are demanding answers from the council after a funfair has popped up right outside their homes.

The funfair by Cowies started on the evening of June 24 in Manxman Road, Blackburn, and many who live on the road are angry that homeowners were not consulted.

One homeowner said: “I saw some people last week measuring up the green area adjacent to the houses and asked what they were doing.

“Then last Saturday we got a knock on the door from the owners introducing themselves and then they turned up on Sunday and started building it.”

Cowies had told the residents that they had already received permission from Blackburn with Darwen council to hold the fair.

But the resident said: “I cannot believe it has been approved and they had not even bothered to tell the residents themselves.

“I left my number with the information desk for the council because it was the only number I could find, and they said they would pass it on.

“The fair owner told me he was surprised we did not know anything about it.”

The homeowner works in education and believes the funfair is a negative impact on the education system which is working to protect children in schools from Covid-19.

She said: “I am already worried about coronavirus in the area and now the council have approved a fun fair metre away from my house.

“There are posters up to advertise it but nothing about the council, which is why I was confused if they had really sought permission.

“I want the council to respond and give us the reason why we have not been informed and why is there a funfair on our road approved by them when Blackburn with Darwen has one of the highest Covid cases in the country.”

Residents say at least 40 to 50 people were seen on the first day of the fair, which ran from 5pm-9pm on Thursday-Friday and will run from 12pm-9pm on Saturday and till 7pm on Sunday.

She said: “Children are also still at school so will be mixing and then can pass the virus on at school.

Martin Eden, Chair of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Events and Safety Advisory Group, (ESAG) said: “We are following Government guidance and the roadmap, within that Covid legislation allows travelling fairs to open and trade.

“The Council, together with Lancashire Police, have responsibilities to ensure compliance with the law, but cannot change it.

“The authority has undertaken checks at this outdoor fairground to ensure compliance and reported high standards.

“All planned events go through the borough’s multi-agency Events and Advisory Safety Group (ESAG) which involves officers from Police, Fire, Ambulance service, public health officers and council officers with responsibility for events.”