Controversial homes plan ‘threatens country town character’

The Sutton Family Pension Trust’s application for the housing estate at the former Barnsay Shed on Long Ing Lane in Barnoldswick has caused a flood of objections from nearby residents.

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It is just a few hundred yards from a development of 29 homes which led to the launch of the “Save Barlick’s Green Fields” campaign.

That scheme, five minutes walk down Long Ing Lane is now in its final stages of detailed preparation, after developer Stirling Investment Properties LLP successfully appealed Pendle Council’s decision to reject the plans.

Despite this defeat, Craven councillor David Whipp is urging colleagues on the borough’s Development Management Committee on Monday (27) to reject the new, bigger proposal and overturn a planning officers’ recommendation to approve it.

The Liberal Democrat has been backed by the “Save Barlick’s Green Fields Campaign” spokesman Peter Crompton.

Cllr Whipp said: “This scheme is too large and there are many concerns about flooding, traffic and other matters as it stands.

“It needs reducing in size and concentrating on the old mill site and should not be allowed to extend over neighbouring green fields. The country town character of Barnoldswick is under threat.

“The government has set a target of 5,000 to 6,000 new home for Pendle and 600 for Barnoldswick.

“This level of development would lead to the loss of Barnoldswick’s country town character and the same would happen to similar places in the borough like Earby and Colne.

“This scheme needs rejecting and sending back to the developer for revision and reduction in size, as Pendle’s West Craven committee recommended.

“This would send a message the council is determined to protect the country character of Barnoldswick and other towns in the borough.”

The smaller approved development by Stirling on Long Ings Lane has had its “reserved matters” detailed application, including increasing the number of homes to 31, rejected by councillors.

Mr Crompton said: “These two nearby schemes cannot be taken in isolation. If they, and other similar proposals, all go ahead the country town character of Barnoldswick will be destroyed.

“Long Ing Lane cannot take the sort of traffic that would be generated and our green spaces will disappear.”

The proposed Barnsay Shed housing estate near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Silent Night factory would have 76 two-storey homes and 72 of 2.5 and three storeys.

It generated more than a dozen letters and emails of objection on grounds including traffic problems on nearby narrow country roads, potential vehicle damage to the canal bridge, damage to the integrity of the waterway itself, flood risks, road safety, damage to wildlife, noise, parking and loss of green fields.

The recommendation by officials to the committee delegates power to them to grant consent providing strict conditions are met.

The majority of the site is already approved for industrial redevelopment.

A design and access statement prepared by Campbell Driver Partnership on behalf of The Sutton Family Pension Trust promises public open spaces including green corridors, areas for tree planting and landscaping, ponds and brooks; retaining existing footpaths and adding new ones; and upgrading existing access points from Long Ing Lane.

After the 19 homes application by Stirling on Long Ing lane was approved the “Save Barlick’s Green Fields Campaign” and Cllr Whipp called for changes to national planning guidelines.

Pendle borough council’s refusal of planning permission for a 270-property housing scheme at “The Rough” in Colne is now being appealed by the developers.

Cllr Whipp said: “This problem of government targets for housing development will affect other townships with a country character in East Lancashire.

“If the scale of building that ministers are talking about goes ahead they will be changed for ever.”

A spokesman for agent Campbell Driver Partnership was unavailable for comment.