A TRAVELLERS' site set up on green belt land is to be closed.

Two caravans and a septic tank have been installed in fields off Sough Lane, Oswaldtwistle, without planning permission.

The operators of the site, off Haslingden Old Road, between Blackburn and Oswaldtwistle, have now submitted a planning application to increase the size of the site to include six caravans, two utility blocks, and a car park.

Neighbours have collected more than 150 signatures on a protest petition and Hyndburn Council has called the camp "clearly inappropriate".

The proposals are expected to be thrown out by Hyndburn Council.

If it refuses planning permission, the council can order the field to be returned to its original state.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe, who represents Oswaldtwistle, said the green belt must be protected.

He added: "It is very important that we maintain the integrity of our towns by preserving the green belt."

The proposal, by a man listed on planning documents only as Mr Jones, will be debated by the council's planning committee tomorrow.

Brent Clarkson from Hyndburn Council said: "The plan is very clearly inappropriate for green belt.

"The issue to consider is whether there are any special circumstances.

"The applicant claims to be a gipsy with links to Oswaldtwistle.

"So far he has indicated that intends to landscape the site with trees and has already started planting leylandii on the boundary, a species which is totally inappropriate in this rural location."

Nobody at the site was available to comment.