AN EAST Lancashire MP is backing local people in their bid to halt plans for part of the former Lower Darwen Paper Mill to be used as a haulage depot.

But Blackburn Council planning officers are recommending approval of plans from SCA Transport UK Ltd to use part of the mill as a base for six tractor units and 15 trailers, with an estimated 12 traffic movements per day.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson is supporting the objections of 60 people who have signed a protest petition.

Opposition has also come from Lower Darwen Village Community Association and Darwen councillor Simon Danczuk, the planning and highways committee will hear on Thursday.

They say there is already enough heavy traffic in the area and it would be more sensible to defer permission until the proposed Eccleshill Link Road is built.

Objectors point to a dramatic increase in traffic over the years with nine firms in the Lower Eccleshill area, one of which has more than 30 heavy goods vehicles. And they dispute the planning officers' claim that the use would generate no more traffic than the former paper mill.

Residents say paper mill traffic was light, and vehicle size and weight bore no resemblance to lorries using the village now. In a letter to the council, Mrs Anderson said: "These residents already have an excessive amount of heavy traffic travelling in their area which represents a hazard to property and person.

"SCA's proposal would add considerably to the number of large vehicles using the road and dimply cause further misery for local people."

A report to the committee says that against the background of existing uses and commitments on sites off the route, what is now proposed is "of marginal significance", bearing in mind the number of vehicles which would be based at the site.

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