Evidence base documents
Green belt assessment
In March 2016 we appointed consultants DLP Planning to carry out an independent assessment of the Green Belt in Pendle. This assessment will form part of the evidence base for Local Plan (Part 2) and will be used to inform decisions on the allocation of land. The final report has now been published and can be downloaded in the the Documents to download section below.
About the preparation of the Green Belt Assessment
In April 2016 the consultants prepared and published a draft methodology for the study. A six week consultation with key stakeholder was carried out in May and June 2016. This included a workshop at Nelson Town Hall on Thursday 2nd June 2016. The workshop included a presentation of the draft methodology and an opportunity for those present to help identify the strong boundaries required for the different parcels of land to be assessed.
A summary of all the consultation responses received by the close of the consultation period can be viewed below.
After considering all the comments received in response to the consultation, a number of minor changes were made to the draft methodology, before a final methodology for the study was published.
Using the agreed methodology the consultants identified:
66 parcels of land within the designated Green Belt
5 parcels of land immediately adjacent to the existing Green Belt, for possible future inclusion within it; and
3 parcels of land designated as Protected Areas in Policy 3A of the Replacement Pendle Local Plan (2001-2016)
Each of these parcels was then assessed against the five purposes of Green Belt, as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.
Why we need to carry out a Green Belt Assessment?
Development needs in Pendle for the period 2011-30 are set out in the Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy and are unlikely to be met within the existing towns and villages alone.
The requirement to carry out a review of the Green Belt is established in the Pendle Local Plan Part 1: Core Strategy. Its purpose is to help determine whether existing Green Belt boundaries will need to be altered in the Local Plan Part 2 in order to make sufficient land available for future development and growth.
Background of the Green Belt
Introduced in the 1950s by circular 42/55, the fundamental aim of Green Belt Policy is to prevent urban sprawl by keeping land permanently open - i.e. to prevent the merger of neighbouring built-up areas.
Purposes of the Green Belt
The essential characteristics of Green Belts are their openness and their permanence. The National Planning Policy Framework indicates that Green Belts serve five purposes:
1. to check the unrestricted sprawl of large built up areas;
2. to prevent neighbouring towns merging into one another;
3. to assist in safeguarding the countryside from encroachment;
4. to preserve the setting and special character of historic towns; and
5. to assist in urban regeneration, by encouraging the recycling of derelict and other urban land.
Extent of the Green Belt in Pendle
In Lancashire the general extent of the Green Belt was set out in the Lancashire Structure Plan (1987). In Pendle this required Green Belt to be maintained between:
1. Padiham/Burnley and Barrowford
2. Nelson and Barrowford
3. Barrowford and Colne
4. Colne and Trawden
5. Colne and Foulridge
6. Colne and Laneshaw Bridge
The detailed Green Belt boundaries in Pendle were established upon adoption of the first Pendle Local Plan in January 1999.
You can download a short history of the Green Belt in Pendle in the documents to download section below.
Documents to download
Pendle Green Belt Assessment Report
Appendix 1b Consultation Summary
Appendix 2 Map 1A
Appendix 2 Map 1B
Appendix 2 Map 2A
Appendix 2 Map 2B
Appendix 2 Map 3A
Appendix 2 Map 3B
Appendix 2 Map 3+A
Appendix 2 Map 3+B
Appendix 2 Map 4A
Appendix 2 Map 4B
Appendix 3 Individual Site Assessments and Maps