Town councillors are to meet to debate a Travellers site amid claims a stop notice to prevent illegal development is not being enforced. 

Darwen Town Council will meet to discuss issues including an ‘unauthorised encampment’ on private land south of Whitehall Park, after cllr Steve Duncan asked for it to be added to the agenda. 

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council was made aware of the illegal encampment in May. 

Since then, the council issued a stop notice after hardcore was laid to make way for 18 caravans – of which six are permanent.

The stop notice was issued in July as the camp did not have the required planning permission, to prevent any more work to facilitate the residential use of the site.

The enforcement notice took effect from August 13 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 in before the arrival of the unauthorised encampment.

Mr Duncan, Darwen Town Councillor said: “My point will be, we are here to represent the residents in Darwen and there is a major issue up in Whitehall.

“The borough council are not addressing it, and we want the borough council to come to the next meeting and update everybody to the true position.

“Since the stop notice they have had diggers and bulldozers and people are saying when there is a notice, why is the council not enforcing it?”

In August, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council was notified that the landowner had lodged an appeal against the enforcement notice.

The appeal will be handled by the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

Until the appeal is decided, the process for reinstatement of the land is on hold, however the stop notice remains in place to prevent any further unauthorised development.

Cllr Duncan added: “People want the site returning to its original state and for the council to enforce the stop notice."

Read more: Notice issued to landowner over ‘unauthorised encampment’

Read more: Travellers' camp landowner appeals council order to remove caravans

Read more: Council serves planning notice after ‘illegal encampment’ near park

In the Blackburn with Darwen borough, there are currently eight authorised traveller sites in a bid to ensure adequate provision is provided.

A spokesperson from Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "We’re still closely monitoring the site and awaiting supporting documents for a planning application the landowner has submitted. 

"There’s also an appeal against an enforcement notice we issued. This is being handled by the Planning Inspectorate. We are also awaiting an update from them on that.

"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."