Pendle News Room

New bungalows designed for older people in Colne have won a national award established by HRH The Prince of Wales and the National Association of Almshouses to recognise outstanding almshouse developments.

Alan Davies is chair of trustees of the charity and housing association named after Peter Birtwistle.

“Our founder was a jeweller who emigrated from the UK to Canada and left his entire fortune to provide housing for people in his home town of Colne when he died in 1927.

 Alan said:

“We are continuing to develop his generous legacy by providing homes for life for elderly people in Colne.

 “And we’re delighted that our new bungalow scheme, Birtwistle East Lemes, is a winner of the Almshouse Association’s Award for Excellence and Inspiration”

The 12 one bedroom bungalows were built off Keighley Road for the Trust by Pendle Enterprise And Regeneration Ltd, known as PEARL.

Alan explained:

“We’ve worked in partnership to increase the number of affordable bungalows the Trust can offer to elderly people in Colne.

“It’s been a very worthwhile project which gives older residents independent living with all the support of being part of the Peter Birtwistle Trust community.

Councillor Mohammed Iqbal, Leader of Pendle Council and a PEARL board member explained:

“PEARL is Pendle Council’s joint venture company with Pendle contractor and developer Barnfield Construction.

“We carry out regeneration in Pendle including developments to offer more housing choice.

“I visited the bungalows when the project was completed in March last year and was very impressed with the development.

“The homes have been designed with wide entrance halls to make them easier to move around in and they’re wheelchair friendly,” he explained.  

“Our residents are enjoying the stunning countryside views from their balconies and the community spirit here is good, so it’s a great place to live,” added Alan Davies.

Mrs Diane Buckley aged 67, who has lived in Colne for 41 years, was one of the first residents moving in to the new development,  at Number One Birtwistle East Lemes.

 She said:  “I’d been looking for somewhere to live near town for the last two to three years.  

“I was so overwhelmed when I saw my new bungalow, it was perfect,  with everything I needed!” 

Tim Webber, Managing Director of Barnfield Construction said:

“As a local developer with deep roots in Pendle we’re thrilled with the award and for our part in providing new homes for local people.

“Through PEARL we are building a new quality housing development below the new Birtwistle East Lemes bungalow scheme and off Carry Lane.

“We’ve called it Greenfields View and it lives up to its name,” said Tim.

“ It’s an attractive £4.4 million development of 21 three and four bedroom family homes with good sized gardens and lovely countryside views and we’re aiming to complete it this year,” he explained.

Anyone interested in looking for a new home in Pendle can visit www.barnfield-homes.co.uk with the opportunity to look at other PEARL developments such as Langroyd Place in Colne and sign up for news about Greenfields View.

And the partnership between the forward thinking Peter Birtwistle Trust and PEARL will continue.

Alan Davies said:  “We can announce that the Trust will be the new owners of flats for older people which are being built by PEARL on the site of the old Colne Health Centre which is being demolished.

“On Saturday 6th July we’ll be taking a stall during the Comic Colne event and will have a model of the new flats on display.  

“They’ll provide an affordable place for older Colners to live – right in the heart of town opposite the market.  Do come and have a look at the plans!