Local Plan (Fourth Edition)

What’s happening?

The Pendle Local Plan Fourth Edition was submitted to the Government for its examination in public in February 2025. Mr William Fieldhouse BA(Hons) MA MRTPI was appointed as Inspector for the independent examination and conducted public hearings in June and July 2025. These hearings have now concluded, and the Inspector has requested the Council to prepare a list of his proposed changes (Main Modifications). These are not additions to the Plan but changes to make it legally compliant with the National Planning Policy Framework.

The Council is now inviting representations on these Main Modifications. Comments on anything other than the Main Modifications cannot be considered. The consultation starts 9.00am Friday 12 September and closes at 5.00pm on Friday 24 October 2025.

Where can I see the consultation documents?

Copies of the consultation documents can be downloaded below:

• Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications
• Schedule of Proposed Changes to the Policies Map
• Sustainability Appraisal Addendum
• Habitats Regulations Assessment Addendum
• Schedule of Additional (Minor) Modifications

These documents are also available to view, during their normal opening hours, at:

• Barnoldswick Library, Fernlea Avenue, Barnoldswick, BB18 5DW
• Barrowford Library, Ann Street, Barrowford, BB9 8QH
• Brierfield Library, Colne Road, Brierfield, BB9 5HW
• Colne Library, Market Street, Colne, BB8 0AP
• Earby Library, Earby Community Centre, New Road, Earby, BB18 6XA
• Nelson Library, Market Square, Nelson, BB9 7PU
• Number One Market Street, Market Street, Nelson, BB9 7LJ
• Trawden Community Library, Church Street, Trawden, BB8 8RU
• Mobile Library

The Council has prepared a tracked change version of the submitted Local Plan to help show how the Local Plan will look with the proposed Main Modifications and Additional (Minor) Modifications. A revised version of the Policies Map has also been prepared. These can be accessed via the links below:

• View the Pendle Local Plan Fourth Edition as Modified (Tracked Changes)
• View the Policies Map as Modified

What am I commenting on?

Comments are only invited on the proposed Main Modifications Comments relating to other matters will not be considered.

Comments should be clear and succinct and focus on the issues of legal compliance and soundness.

The Schedule of Proposed Additional (Minor) Modifications are those suggested by the Council. These modifications address such things as spelling mistakes and have no soundness, or legal implications. They have been published for reference.

How do I make comments?

You should submit your comments on the representation form. Comments may also be submitted via email to planningpolicy@pendle.gov.uk or in writing by post to:

Planning, Building Control and Regulatory Services
Pendle Borough Council
Town Hall
Market Street
Nelson
BB9 7LG

Comments must be received by the Council before 5.00pm on Friday 24 October 2025 or they cannot be taken into account.

What happens next?

All comments duly made will be sent to the Inspector for his consideration. The Council will also provide its response to these comments. The Inspector will then determine whether any further changes need to be made to the Local Plan to ensure its legal compliance and/or soundness. Further hearing session(s) may be scheduled at the discretion of the Inspector.

Should the Inspector be satisfied that the modified Plan is sound and legally compliant he will write up his final report which will be issued to the Council. The Council will then make any necessary changes outlined in the Inspector’s Final Report to the Local Plan, before considering whether to adopt it at Full Council. Should the Local Plan be adopted it will form part of the statutory development plan for Pendle and will be used as the basis by decision makers for determining planning applications. A 28-day legal challenge period will commence from the date of adoption.