THE row over the growth of a controversial travellers’ caravan park in Blackburn will be reignited tonight.
In May, Jimmy Evans and his son-in-law John Price were handed permission to make alterations to the development on a former coal merchants’ yard at the rear of Vincent Street in Ewood.
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This was despite objections from nearby residents.
However, an error in the drawing attached to Mr Evans’ application to demolish a chalet and replace it with a detached bungalow meant he had to reapply for permission with the correct details.
Two residents have objected to the scheme anonymously.
In a report to tonight’s meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Planning and Highways Committee, officers recommend approval of the revised scheme – but with tight conditions.
Two objection letters say: nConstruction and demolition has been going on since 2006 with vehicular noise and industrial tools and machines operating late into the night.
- Vincent Street and alleyway unsuitable for such heavy vehicular traffic.
- Site appears to be being used for business purposes.
- Residents afraid of come-back if their objections become known.
In July 2010, the council gave Mr Evans approval for two caravans, a chalet and an amenity block at Acorn Park.
In September 2011 he asked for backdated permission to retain five caravans, a chalet, an amenity block and a WC on the enlarged encampment.
The four extra caravans were used by Mr Evans’ grown-up children.
The planning committee refused approval, but Mr Evans’ appeal was upheld by a planning inspector in 2012 officially designating the park as a ‘gypsy caravan site’.
Now Mr Evans plans to replace the chalet with a bungalow and reduce the number of caravans on the site from the current four to three.
Mr Price won permission in May to use a neighbouring site for a touring caravan, mobile home and shower/toilet building. Mr Evans agent Peter Entwistle said his client had no comment to make before the meeting.
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