Blackburn 'holiday village' inquiry underway

6:50pm Thursday 23rd October 2008

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By Tom Moseley »

PROTESTORS fighting plans for a multi-million pound holiday village on a “beauty spot” have clashed with developers at a crunch hearing.

The saga of the agricultural land off Brokenstone Road in Fenniscowles will finally be resolved by the two-day hearing in Blackburn town hall, which finishes tomorrow (Friday).

Developer Castleland Ltd is behind the plans - known as Pleasington Lakes - which would see 120 holiday lodges, five lakes and a leisure unit built on the site, part of which was badly contaminated by illegal rubbish tipping in 1999 and 2000.

The scheme was thrown out by councillors in December, despite officers recommending it was approved. Castleland appealed the decision, so now planning inspector Alan Robinson will make a recommendation to the government on whether it should ultimately go ahead.

Yesterday Keith Nutter, acting for Castleland, said the plans would not have a detrimental impact on residents, and claimed tree-planting would “shield” the lodges.

But Glynn Woon, of Tockholes Parish Council, said this was” nonsense”.

Ward councillor Alan Cottam, who is fighting the plans alongside residents, environmentalists and parish councillors, said the site was a “picturesque rising backdrop, offering tremendous view over the surrounding area.”

But he said the view had been ruined by the tipping.

Barry Lomax, a planning consultant for the council, said the lodges were “completely out of character” with the area and claimed the plans would cause traffic problems for residents.

But Mr Nutter hit back, saying the traffic plan had already been approved by the council when the planning application was submitted.

He denied claims from the other side the area would become “residential”, saying conditions would be put in place to ensure it remained for holiday use.

Castleland claims its plans will alleviate the contamination, but campaigners want to see it cleared without being redeveloped.

The firm’s architect told the hearing the piles of waste on the site would be reduced by the plans, and said the lakes would be a “visual amenity” and used for fishing.

Tomorrow the inspector will go on a site visit. His recommendation will be announced in about four weeks.