'We need this to alleviate cramped living conditions' - plea to increase size of Hyndburn traveller site
Backdated plans have been submitted to extend a gypsy and traveller site located between Accrington and Blackburn.
Andrew Jones has applied for the expansion of the existing encampment at The Fir Trees in Sough Lane, between Guide and Oswaldtwistle.
The retrospective application, to Hyndburn Borough Council, is for two additional pitches with two day rooms. A planning statement says the application would “alleviate cramped and somewhat overcrowded living conditions.”
The site
The application site is known locally as The Fir Trees - 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.
A statement to Hyndburn Borough Council says: “The family group has grown considerably since it was originally established and even further since 2016, with the site currently being occupied 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 ha in area, and of the same width of the Fir Trees site, and approximately 50m in depth. This site has been identified as one of the allocated Gypsy & Traveller allocation sites in the Hyndburn Local Plan 2040 (submission draft) to accommodate 10 pitches (Site Reference: GT5).”
The statement argues that there is a “significant shortage of pitch availability in the Borough” and “It is considered that a safe and settled site would afford them (the Jones family) the best opportunity of a stable, secure and happy family life, opportunities for education and access to health services.”
The work on the pitches has been completed, and access to the site remains the same. The application site does not have a link or connection to the mains sewer system and it is proposed to deal with foul water by way of sealed cess pit units.
A decision will be made in coming weeks by Hyndburn Borough Council.
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