Pendle News Room

A public consultation is being launched on Friday (4 March 2022) to consider the final version of its Neighbourhood Plan, giving residents, businesses and other interested parties one last chance to have their say.  

In June 2017 Kelbrook and Sough Parish Council asked Pendle Borough Council to formally designate the parish as a neighbourhood area, so they could prepare a Neighbourhood Plan. 

Neil Watson, Pendle Borough Council’s Planning, Building Control and Licensing Manager, explained: “Neighbourhood Plans allow local communities to set out a vision for the future of their area.  

“Kelbrook and Sough Parish Council has now submitted what it considers to be the final version of its Plan.  

“Before we pass this on for consideration by an independent examiner, local residents, businesses and other interested parties can comment on its proposals.” 

Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, added: “The public consultation has been extended to seven weeks to allow for the Easter holiday period.  

“All comments must be received by Pendle Borough Council by 5pm on Monday 25 April 2022. 

“Once the plan is adopted it becomes part of the development plan for Pendle and its policies must be considered when considering applications for planning permission.”  

The Kelbrook and Sough Neighbourhood Plan allocates two sites for future housing development - Dotcliffe Yard and Land at Cob Lane.  

These are both the subject of current planning applications. 

The need for any further site allocations will be considered in the Pendle Local Plan, which is currently being prepared by Pendle Borough Council.  

Copies of the plan and its supporting documents are available online at: 

• Pendle Borough Council website – www.pendle.gov.uk/neighbourhoodplans   
• Kelbrook and Sough Parish Council website – www.kelbrookandsoughparishcouncil.org.uk 

They can also be inspected in person at the following locations during their normal hours of opening: 

• Kelbrook Village Hall 
• Barnoldswick Library 
• Number One Market Street, Nelson (Head Planning Office) 

Comments must be submitted in writing by: 

• email to LDF@pendle.gov.uk  
• writing to Pendle Borough Council, Planning, Economic Development & Regulatory Services, Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 7LG.  

Garry Wilson, a councillor at Kelbrook and Sough Parish Council, said: “After the consultation has ended the Neighbourhood Plan, and all the comments received, will be sent to the independent examiner appointed to conduct the formal Examination of the Kelbrook and Sough Neighbourhood Plan.” 

The Examiner will normally recommend that the Plan proceeds to a public referendum, subject to certain changes. 

“Anyone registered to vote in the area covered by the Neighbourhood Plan will then be entitled to vote in a public referendum.” 

If a simple majority of votes are in favour of the Neighbourhood Plan (i.e. over 50% of those voting) it will become a consideration in the determination of planning applications from that day onwards.