COUNCILLORS will be asked to rule tonight (Wednesday) on plans which could increase the size of a caravan park by half as much again.

Christopher and Gabrielle Tattersall, who run the mobile home site at Holden Mill House, on Grane Road, Haslingden, have submitted two separate applications to Rossendale Council.

One is for an extra 12 caravans on one side of the house and the other for an extra 10 caravans on the opposite side.

They were granted permission for 39 caravans on the site following an enforcement appeal in 1991 when a government inspector allowed them to increase the number from 26 to 39 provided the permission was for them personally.

Planners are recommending that the two new applications are granted on the same basis.

If the couple left the site, the permission would lapse.

Helmshore Residents' Association has objected on the grounds of nuisance, increased traffic in the area and visual amenity.

But Mrs Tattersall says there is an urgent need for cheap housing for young people which she provides.

The furnished caravans are let for no more than £40 a week, which is the maximum housing benefit allowed to under 25s.

She said: "I am being bombarded with requests for accommodation every week because of the shortage of housing for young people.

"We don't ask for a bond and the caravans are completely furnished down to a television and cups and plates.

"We have built an extra road on the site and the caravans are painted green and well screened."

Planning officers will recommend tonight's planning sub-committee grants approval subject to conditions including additional landscaping and adequate painting of the caravans.

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