Darwen Town Council members refused to raise issues surrounding a traveller site at Whitehall Park during a meeting despite nearly 30 residents attending.

The issue, surrounding a traveller encampment near the park, has been a source of concern for residents over the last three months.

Town Councillor for Darwen South Rural Ward Steve Duncan raised the issue after he claimed there had been limited communication on the situation from Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council.

He proposed sending a letter to the authority requesting it attend the next meeting and provide a definitive answer to the situation.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Duncan said: “It was disappointing from my perspective.

"My personal view is that it wouldn’t have hurt to send a letter asking for them to come and give us a definitive answer at that next meeting.

“They would rather have 30 residents traipse to Blackburn than have one or two [members of staff] come and tell us what is going on.

“We shouldn’t be doing that, we should be doing what is best for Darwen. The fact that 20 to 30 people took their time to come to the meeting speaks volumes about the concern surrounding the site.”

Those in attendance were told to take the matter to a Blackburn with Darwen Council executive meeting.

The council was made aware of the illegal encampment in May and since then it was forced to issue a stop notice after hardcore was laid to make way for 18 caravans – of which six are permanent.

Issued in July, the stop notice was provided to ensure no more work was facilitated on the site as it did not have the correct planning permission.

Having been enforced since August 13, it 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.

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

Read more: 'Illegal encampment' on private land near park to be debated after call for update

Read more: Darwen Travellers' camp owner appeals council caravan move order

In August, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council was notified the landowner had appealed 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.

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

A spokesperson from Blackburn with Darwen Council said prior to the meeting: "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."