Local Plan (Fifth Edition)
About the Local Plan
The current local plan is the Pendle Local Plan 4th Edition 2021-2040.
Ne planning regulations, introduced in March 2026, require the Council to prepare a new local plan.
The new Pendle Local Plan 5th Edition 2025-2045 is expected to be adopted in April 2029.
What does a Local Plan do?
In England the planning system is plan-led.
Decisions on whether to grant, or refuse, applications for planning permission are taken in accordance with the statutory Development Plan, unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The Development Plan for Pendle currently includes the:
- Pendle Local Plan 4th Edition 2021-2040 (2025)
- Joint Lancashire Minerals and Waste Local Plan – (2009 / 2013)
Neighbourhood Plans, where these have been adopted:
- Trawden Forest (2018)
- Barrowford (2019)
- Kelbrook and Sough (2022)
- Colne (2023)
The Government requires Pendle Borough Council, in its role as the local planning authority, to prepare a local plan. It identifies broad locations for future growth, allocates specific areas of land for development, and sets out detailed planning policies against which all new development proposals will be assessed.
The local plan must be consistent with national policy, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which seeks to promote sustainable development.
Pendle Borough Council adopted its first Local Plan in January 1999 and is now preparing the Pendle Local Plan 5th Revision 2025-2045.
Notification of intention to commence the preparation of a local plan
See separate document for web text. A pdf can also be made available.
Data standard
Our data standards will be published in June 2026.