Travellers site near Guide and Oswaldtwistle set to grow

Andrew Jones has applied for the expansion of the existing encampment at The Fir Trees in Sough Lane, between Guide and Oswaldtwistle.

The retrospective proposal to Hyndburn Council is for two additional pitches with two day rooms.

A supporting statement says: “The application site, known locally as The Fir Trees, is a rectangular parcel of land situated to the west of Sough Lane, Oswaldtwistle, within open countryside and designated Green Belt.

“The site was established in 2007 and further developed following an allowed appeal decision in 2016.

“The family group has grown considerably since it was originally established and even further since 2016, with the site currently being occupied by 16 adults and 19 children.

“All the people on the site make up the wider Jones family.

“The proposed development would extend the site into a parcel of linked land that is approximately 0.51 hectares in area, and of the same width of the Fir Trees site, and approximately 50 metres in depth.

“This site has been identified as one of the allocated Gypsy and Traveller allocation sites in the Hyndburn Local Plan 2040 (submission draft) to accommodate 10 pitches.

“In terms of the site’s location in the borough, it is sustainably located along Sough Lane and close to the Blackburn settlement boundary to the west, with the Accrington/Oswaldtwistle settlement boundary to the east.

“This planning application is for the change of use of land to extend the existing Fir Trees Gypsy and Traveller family site, to provide an additional two pitches and two day rooms, which would meet the current needs of the families who currently own and occupy the existing site.

“This would alleviate cramped and somewhat overcrowded living conditions.

“Work to change the use of the land, including occupation, has already been carried out, so the application for planning permission is therefore retrospective.

“Moving forward, when the long-term undersupply of suitable and available Gypsy and Traveller family pitch accommodation in the borough is considered in the planning balance, this circumstance carries considerable weight in the decision-making process, when balanced against the development works that have been carried out.

“Overall, we will seek to show that the proposed development would extend the existing site that is in a sustainable location, thereby resulting in an effective use of land, secure a well-designed place and provide affordable accommodation to meet the needs of the families who already reside on the site.”