Update on travellers who recently stopped at Futures Park

Over the past few days, we have had a few queries from residents and the local media about travellers who stopped at Futures Park recently. We have also have been asked for an update on the emerging local plan and the gypsy and traveller transit site.

After the travellers moved off site a full clean-up operation was organised for Thursday, April 11 as per our normal processes. As they were on the highway, only Lancashire County Council as the highways authority were able to take legal action to remove them. As we always do however we remained in regular contact with LCC who were using the proper legal channels to move them on. We will always assist LCC to serve legal papers.

We always look to recover the cost of clean-ups by taking enforcement action against those who litter the area but as people will appreciate this can be quite difficult.

In terms of Local Plan, Government legislation requires all councils to identify what traveller sites are needed across the local authority area when developing the Local Plan. We understand the allocation of such a gypsy and traveller transit site is a controversial decision wherever it is located and we wrote to the Secretary of State to seek clarification on this legislation and to ask for any support available. We have yet to receive a response.

Residents will be aware of plans for potential development on the area currently identified for the gypsy and traveller transit site. The planning application is currently being processed and is due to be heard at a future development control committee soon.

If planning permission was granted, then the Council would have to consider a future location for a transit at the Examination in Public into the Emerging Local Plan (as well as any clarification we receive from the government).

In terms of consultation for the local plan, we held a six-week consultation during which time residents were given the opportunity to give us their views via a variety of means.