TRAVELLER SITE AT GASKELLS CARPETS

A traveller site was set up on the recently-demolished Wheatfield Mill plot on Friday 3rd August and this immediately prompted calls to the Rishton Councillors who informed both HBC and the police which resulted in the land being vacated by late afternoon.

However, the travellers had returned by Monday 6th August and again the Rishton Councillors received many complaints of disruptions to the local community. As it was private land, HBC could not evict the travellers directly and a court order had to be secured from the landowners (Stirling Investments). An order on private land is far less susceptible to appeal and by Sunday 12th August the site was once again vacated and the gate firmly padlocked with heavy chains.

The Rishton Councillors and HBC have suggested to the landowners that the site is made secure with boulders or raised mounds of earth as an extra precaution of this happening again. A request has also been made to the owners of York Mill which is currently undergoing demolition.

A report has appeared in the Lancashire Telegraph from Hyndburn reporter Emma Cruces:

Lancashire Telegraph - Travellers ordered to leave Rishton mill site