Colne Councillors Advise Against Building on The Upper Rough
by Colne Life magazine
"This proposed development is unsustainable, inaccessible and highly visible and I am glad that my fellow councillors agreed with L&B and voted unanimously to recommend refusal to Development Management..."
Councillors sitting on Pendle Borough Council’s Colne and District Committee unanimously objected to the highly controversial application to build on The Upper Rough in Eastern Colne on Thursday 2nd February 2023.
As the application is for more than 60 houses, the Area Committee has to pass the application up to the Development Management Committee for it to determine. However, it can make a recommendation and the Colne councillors advised refusal on the grounds of:
- Highways issues
- Negative impact on the Conservation Area
- Negative impact on biodiversity and especially red-listed birds
- Negative impact on significant and long-range views
- Negative impact on the three promoted walks on the Public Rights of Way
- Conflict with PBC Planning policies SDP2, LIV1, ENV1 & ENV4 and the fact Pendle has a 5.61 year housing land supply, with delivery targets exceeded in recent years
- Conflict with the emerging Colne Neighbourhood Plan
Dozens of residents attended the meeting at Colne Town Hall and there were eight speakers on a range of topics – John Birchenough, Helen Clegg, Sharon Dale, Mark Rogers, Elizabeth Lane, John Hartley, Alan Bedford and Liz Hurley. Cllr David Cockburn-Price took part in the debate, but did not vote, as he is the chairman of trustees at Lidgett & Beyond, which is a registered charity. Cllr Sarah Cockburn-Price also declared an interest as the chairman of the Colne Neighbourhood Plan Advisory Committee.
Chairman of Colne and District Committee, Cllr David Cockburn-Price, confers with Pendle Council Planning Manager, Neil Watson
Late last year, both Colne Town Council and Trawden Parish Council voted unanimously to object to the application.
Cllr Sarah Cockburn-Price, who co-founded L&B almost a decade ago, explained: “To build over The Upper Rough is directly contrary to the Colne Neighbourhood Plan, which has designated it as a Local Green Space. We are now at Examination and we expect to hear from the Examiner soon.”
Residents can view all the plans in the documents loaded onto Pendle Council’s Planning Portal. They should choose “Planning” and then “How to view and comment on a planning application” and enter 22/0790/OUT into the search box. Lidgett &Beyond is asking that people simply email their comments to planning@pendle.gov.uk and copy the charity in at info@lidgettandbeyond.org
John Hartley speaking about how Accrue Capital’s application contravenes Pendle Council planning policy
The deadline for comments has been extended again in the absence of reports from statutory consultees, such as Lancashire County Council. The application will be determined by Pendle’s Development Management Committee likely in either March or April. Lidgett & Beyond is encouraging local people to continue adding their own objections.
Cllr David Cockburn-Price, chairman of trustees at L&B, said: “Lidgett & Beyond’s professional response to development on The Upper Rough is now on the Pendle Planning Portal under “documents” associated with 22/0790/OUT. This proposed development is unsustainable, inaccessible and highly visible and I am glad that my fellow councillors agreed with L&B and voted unanimously to recommend refusal to Development Management.”
Visit www.lidgettandbeyond.org for the latest info and to see available L&B fundraising merchandise
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