Travellers told they can't stay on 'contaminated tip' in Chorley

Councillors have rejected a bid by travellers to make a site in Chorley their permanent home.

- by Paul Faulkner

Mobile dwellings were driven onto the plot - a former rubbish tip, off Town Lane in Whittle-le-Woods-last August.

They arrived after a planning application had been submitted to Chorley Council to create a seven-pitch caravan development - but before the authority had decided whether or not to approve it.

Now the council's planning committee has refused to grant retrospective permission for the move - meaning the family living there will have to leave.

However, the Lancashire Post understands the applicant intends to appeal against the decision.

The committee's rejection of the plans came amid a slew of concerns over the contaminated nature of the land and the impact of the proposal on road safety and the character of the area.

More than 300 objections were lodged from locals - including over noise - with just two expressions of support.

Chorley planning officers had initially recommended councillors refuse the application on the basis of an objection by highways bosses at Lancashire County Council that the proposed access to the site was not safe.