More time for Pendle folk to have their say on future housing and industry in borough

The six week consultation period launched on Friday February 12th has been extended for a further 11 days, until just after Easter.

Local residents, businesses and interested groups now have until Tuesday 6 April 5pm – the day after Easter Monday - to influence development in Pendle up to 2030.

Neil Watson who manages planning and economic development at Pendle Council said: “There has already been a big response and we’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in this vital consultation so far.

“We are urging more people to take a look at the Local Plan and comment on it. Once finalised it will become the blueprint for future development in Pendle over the next nine years,” he stated.

The draft Plan can be seen on Pendle Council’s website and comments can be made there too, using the online representation form: www.pendle.gov.uk/siteallocations

People can also respond by email to [email protected] or in writing to Pendle Council, Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson BB9 7LG.

Details of a series of consultation events and one-to-one meetings being hosted by Council Planning Officers are also available on the website: www.pendle.gov.uk/siteallocations

Neil added: “If you have any questions or concerns, I strongly encourage you to book your place at one of these events.

Once the Plan is finalised it will be used by Pendle’s Planning Officers to decide whether to approve or refuse applications for planning permission.

“The policies included in the Local Plan will give planning applicants information about the design features we expect to see in new developments to help us combat the Climate Emergency,” explained Neil Watson.

“These features are designed to ensure that new buildings respect their surroundings, are energy efficient, include open space and are in locations that help to reduce journeys by car."

The draft Local Plan outlines the Council’s preferred approach for development in the borough up to 2030.

In response to changes in national planning policy, the draft Plan includes a new annual housing target for Pendle.

The proposal is to reduce the number of new homes to be built each year from 298 to 240.

The draft Local Plan includes 12 proposed sites for new housing and Neil Watson stated:

“We are trying to minimise the amount of new housing on fields at the edges of our towns and villages and we haven’t allocated any land for housing in Pendle’s Green Belt.”

A total of 20 development sites have been identified in the draft plan including a proposed extension of the successful West Craven Business Park north of Earby, to address the borough’s need for employment land.

The policies in the Local Plan which will influence future development deal with important issues such as:

addressing climate change

providing a variety of homes to meet local needs

protecting the best of the natural and built environment

supporting new and growing businesses so people can work locally to minimise commuting

encouraging good design

managing change in our town centres

improving health and wellbeing.