Green Belt Fight Victory
A SWATHE of green belt land on the outskirts of Chorley is being protected after Chorley Council won its battle to remove an illegal encampment of caravans from the controversial site.
The authority was celebrating this week after a government-appointed planning inspector rejected the appeal against Chorley Council's decision to refuse planning permission for two mobile homes and 14 caravans on land off Hut Lane, Heath Charnock.
Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Leader of Chorley Council, said: "We are delighted with the result. It is a victory for the people of Chorley and the right to protect our beautiful greenbelt land.
"Chorley has so much fantastic countryside and it's the council's job to make sure we protect it.
"Our planning service is a really important function and this result shows that we have dealt with this application fairly and correctly."
The dispute dates back to June when Travellers set up home on their land, which was due to be used for horses and stabling.
A retrospective application for two mobile homes and 14 caravans was rejected by Chorley Council after an enforcement notice was issued to prevent any further work being done to the site until the matter was resolved.
An appeal led by the Linfoot and Boswell families went to a three-day public inquiry in March and the independent planning inspector decided to uphold the council's decision.
"We refused the application because this sort of development isn't suitable for green belt land – it's harmful to the local area, has an effect on neighbouring residents, puts pressure on local services and is in conflict with the rural landscape," said Coun Goldsworthy.
"I want to reassure residents that we will continue to protect green belt land and our planning team and fellow councillors will continue to make and stick to tough decisions."
In dismissing the appeal planning inspector Steven Fox described the development as "jarring to the eye", "seriously damaging" to the area and stands out as "highly incongruous and unsympathetic".
"This development causes very serious harm to the character and appearance of the area," he said.
The families who are living on the site have a further nine months to leave the site and comply with the council's enforcement notice.
