Published Friday 23 August 2024 at 12:25
In May, the Council responded to complaints about an unauthorised encampment in Darwen.
The site is on private land to the south of Whitehall Park.
Following detailed investigations, an enforcement notice and a stop notice were served by the Council in July.
The enforcement notice took effect from 13th August and allows nine months for the residential use of the land to cease, for all caravans to be removed, and for land to be returned to the condition it was prior to the arrival of the unauthorised encampment.
Latest update:
The Council has now been notified that the landowner has lodged an appeal against the enforcement notice.
The appeal will be handled by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. The timescales around the appeals process are outside of the Council’s control, so further news on this is awaited from the Inspectorate.
Until the appeal is decided, the process for reinstatement of the land is effectively on hold, however the stop notice remains in place to prevent any further unauthorised development.
A planning application for the site has also been submitted. Once the outstanding information has been received, the application will be published, and neighbouring residents and other consultees will be notified.
It’s important to note that the timescales on the whole process will depend on the relevant planning application details, the enforcement appeal, and any potential subsequent appeals which may be submitted.
The Council is doing everything within its power to resolve this matter.