Weeks after the “illegal camp” incident, a gate was installed in Darwen Park

A gate has been installed in a park in Darwen, weeks after an “illegal camp” was set up in the area.

About two weeks ago, an “unauthorized camp” was set up on private property south of Whitehall Park.

A gate has now been installed to “prevent unauthorized heavy vehicles from entering the park.”

At that time, the landowners were served with an interim injunction which “confirmed to the local council that a planning application had to be submitted to authorise the construction work”.

The local authority said it had notified all relevant public bodies, including the Environment Agency to check whether permission had been granted, as well as Natural England and Lancashire Constabulary’s Wildlife Crime Officer to “investigate any potential damage to protected habitats”.

A council spokesman said: “This gate has been installed to prevent unauthorised heavy vehicles from entering the park as this has the potential to cause damage.

“If anyone believes they have vehicle access rights to the park, they should first email [email protected].

“We expect a planning application for this project and the applicant must demonstrate appropriate access arrangements.”