AN investigation is underway after claims a travellers’ site is illegally operating in the middle of Padiham.

Plans for a caravan site at a former builder’s yard, behind Peel Street and Pendle Street, were refused by Burnley Council.

But complaints continue to be made to Padiham Town Council that the land is being used, on and off, by families.

Town clerk Elizabeth Bolton told a council meeting she had received several phone calls from residents about the site being occupied.

Mrs Bolton had contacted the emergency line run by the boro-ugh council to alert officials.

She said: “They are living there on occasions when they should not be.

“The borough council is looking to take enforcement action, but I don’t know whether this will be a swift process.

“The residents in that area are not happy.

“There is black sheet-ing up in front of the gates and once people are in there the gates are pad-locked.”

Borough councillor Frank Cant launched a campaign, objecting to the original development and a petition was signed by at least 50 residents from the Pendle Street area.

A Burnley Council spokesman said: “The issue now is whether, or not, people are living on the site.

“We are monitoring and it seems people are living there, but on an occasional basis.

"We have written to the site owner to try and clar-ify the situation.

“If we find people are living there, then the council will consider taking enforcement action.”