CARAVAN owners who face moving out of their homes for a month each year are fighting for the right to stay put for the full 12 months.

And their battle for legal recognition took a stormy twist when three owners blasted Hyndburn Council in court for "turning a blind eye" to their plight

Around 40 residents on Harwood Bar Caravan Park, Great Harwood, started their fight after discovering they had no planning permission to live permanently at the site for a full year.

They claim they were never told it was only a holiday park when buying their caravans and are appealing for help to find a new site to put down roots.

Under the current rules at the site residents have to move out for a month each year, but they still have to pay council tax.

Linda Selmes, Patricia Dunwoodie and Ian Baron slammed the council during an appearance at Hyndburn Magistrates Court for refusing to pay council tax in protest at the planning situation.

Miss Selmes, who has lived on the site for almost six years, said the council would only officially recognise the park as a holiday site, but was still prepared to collect council tax as if it was a permanent site. Miss Dunwoodie said they had never been told about the park's holiday status when she and Miss Selmes bought a caravan.

"We didn't know we were living on the park illegally, but the council did and still charged us. We can only live there 11 months of the year, but are expected to pay 12 months council tax," she added.

They agreed to pay the council tax but said they would be appealing to a valuation tribunal against the collection of tax from the site.

The planning oversight was discovered 18 months ago and residents formed an association to push the owner, South Lakeland Caravans, and Hyndburn Council for permanent status.

A planning application for a residence park was submitted but the association has not been told about the outcome.

The association is now appealing for land to move to on a permanent basis and is warning would-be caravan owners to be aware of the planning pitfalls.

South Lakeland Caravans managing director Mr John Morphett said: "They all knew the situation when they bought the caravans. Everybody knows the length of the season and that we close for a month to carry out annual maintenance repairs."

No one at the council was available for comment

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