A MOORLAND ‘glamping’ campsite with wooden pods and an amenities block has been given the go-ahead in Rossendale, despite fears over potential natural spring water shortages and tourists’ cars crashing into ditches along a narrow road.

Tourism is important to Rossendale’s economic development and the planning application for five holiday pods and amenities at Hey Meadow Farm, Coal Pit Lane, deserved approval, the borough’s Development Control Committee heard at its latest meeting.

The proposed glamping site is on moorland west of Whitewell Bottom. It is reached from Coal Pit Lane and then a private unadopted lane. A network of public footpaths surrounds the site, including one crossing it from north to south. The application was submitted by Mr and Mrs M and C Lyons who live next to the land.

Rossendale Council planning officers had recommended councillors to approve the plan. Officer Lauren Ashworth summarised the case, saying a badger report had been done, as had been requested when the plan was previously submitted.

No objections had been received from the borough’s environmental health department, Lancashire County Council about roads or United Utilities about water.

Planning policy stated that support should be given to sustainable tourism developments and diversification of the agricultural economy.

However the committee heard that the Hey Meadow Farm site and surrounding homes and farms relied on a local spring for water. They are not on the mains system supplied by United Utilities.

Resident Dean Rowe had been asked to speak on behalf of some households in the area.

He said: “It’s a small area with 24 properties including some working farms. They rely on a local spring water supply which sometimes runs dry. Access to water is a basic human right which would be put at risk. There’s also a risk to fire engines not having enough water to put out fires. There are also two working farms which have relied on local water for generations. They are an important part of the local economy.

“Our concerns are for glampers as well as existing residents. The unadopted lane has banks on both sides then ditches. It’ll be a trap for tourists’ cars, which will get stuck.

“That risk, combined with rat infestation of uncollected rubbish, fly-tipping and a lack of connectivity in the area risks tourists getting a bad impression of Rossendale. This plan is the right idea but in the wrong location.”

Councillors on the committee asked for clarification about the water supply with some saying they had not heard reports of it drying up.

Mr Rowe said the last time was three years ago and recent springs had been wetter. The risk of too much demand on local spring water remained, he said.

Speaking in support of the application, agent Steven Hartley said: “This is the second application for this development. The first was refused over concerns for badgers. But a report has been done and that has now been addressed. Planning officers, highways and other authorities have seen this application on separate occasions and they say the impact will be acceptable. There are no objections from any authorities.

“A water bore hole could be a possibility but that does not need planning permission. These will be five small wooden pods. Fire safety is a matter for building regulations rather than for planning permission. Refuse from campers will be stored and regularly removed by private contractors.

“It’s a general principle of planning that councillors should not raise new objections to the same plans which they have previously seen. I ask that permission is granted.”

Answering questions from councillors, Mr Hartley said the Hey Meadow Farm applicants, Mr and Mrs Lyons, would run the site in a proper, reliable way. They would have to address any potential problems with water supply or refuse collection so the glamping business was a success.

A statement from Coun Jackie Oates was also read out, raising concerns about water, fires and narrow road access.

She said fire-fighters had to use water located half a mile away, at Jack Lodge, to deal with a blaze in the Coal Pit Lane area. An ASDA delivery van had ‘dropped into a ditch’ and there had been other occasions where local residents had dealt with stricken vehicles without calling for outside help. So the lack of officially-logged road incidents did not reflect the local reality, she wrote.

Finally, Coun Oates raised worries about late night noise from tourists and that the nearest existing residents to the proposed glamping site at Hey Meadow Farm would have a direct view from their patio of the new toilets and shower block.

Eleven objections have been received before the meeting. Concerns includes harm to the visual appearance of the countryside, road safety, disturbance, inadequate access, waste disposal, dogs harming sheep and fire risks from barbecues.

Councillors voted to approve the glamping site, subject to various conditions including noise control and lighting.