RESIDENTS are furious over plans for a caravan site on a patch of waste land.

A Wolverhampton-based business man has submitted a second planning application to Rossendale Council to build the mobile home site on land between Pennine Road and Douglas Road, Bacup.

Homeowners in and around Douglas Road fear the town will be taken over and ruined by travellers.

Jean Pinder, 65, of Castletown Drive, said the property developer had had a previous application for a "travelling" home site turned down, and now it had been changed to a site for static and tourist caravans.

She said: "We have regular trouble with travellers round here and that's what we're all worried about. All these caravans means there's going to be a lot of children. Where are they going to go to school? There isn't enough room for our own children."

Councillor Lorraine Hammond, who also lives on the estate in Douglas Road, said she was concerned about the proposed site but was trying to allay residents' fears.

She said: "I'm very concerned about it being put in the middle of a residential area. I don't think it's an ideal spot for tourists or residents with it being in such close proximity.

"The residents are suspecting the land is going to be used for travellers after that was suggested in May and the owner confirmed that. But now they are saying it's for tourists."

Councillor Hammond said she had been inundated with anonymous protest lettersbut could not take action until the planning application had been processed.

Architect Michael Phillips, who submitted the application on behalf of the landowner, Mr Hipkiss, reassured residents that the proposals did not include homes for travellers.

He said: "Nowhere on the application is the word travellers mentioned. It is a change of use from residential to caravans and park homes for retired people." WORRIED: Jean Pinder at the waste ground that could be transformed into a caravan site: 'We have regular trouble with travellers round here'