‘No’ to 11 new mobile homes at Colne caravan park

Members of the council’s Colne and District Committee raised concerns that the development at Prospect Farm in Lenches Road, Colne, could mean people who currently live in the site might lose their homes.

Planning agent Mr Alan Kinder, speaking for applicant Mr Michael Fairless, said the caravan park had been on the site for more than 20 years and considerable investment had been made in it.

Permission had been obtained in 2002 for 15 caravans on the site and it was now the intention to place a further 11 holiday lets there with the existing homes being replaced with log cabins.

Speaking against the plan, Mr Jim Kerrigan said such a development failed to comply with policy 40 of the current Pendle Local Plan, as it did not reuse an existing building of traditional construction or redeveloped within the footprint of an existing building.

Coun. Tony Greaves said that while the proposal was very well thought out, there had been serious concerns expressed by people already living on the site.

“People feel they are being put in jeopardy and many feel it would be quite impossible to continue living there,” he said.

“There is an established community there. It might not be the kind of place where you or I would choose to live but people are happy to live there.”

He proposed refusing planning permission and for talks to be held to establish the future of people living on the site and this was passed unanimously by the committee.

As officers had recommended approval of the plans, the matter will be referred to the council’s development management committee later this month.