Pendle News Room

The planning application has been put forward by Penbrook – a new joint venture company between Pendle Borough Council and our development partner Brookhouse.

Plans include demolishing the dated 1960s shopping centre to develop a major new food store, nine modern retail units with attractive frontages, car parking and landscaping.

Once the consultation period is over and all comments have been considered, the final planning application will be decided by councillors later this summer.

Stephen Barnes, Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board said:

“The plans are designed to radically improve the town, with high quality architecture and landscape design to help us create a brighter future for Nelson.

“Along with a much stronger retail offer for Pendle people, there will be food and drink options and a pleasant area to eat outside, providing a great place for our community to meet.

“If the planning application goes ahead, there will be job opportunities for local people both during construction and once the project is complete,” he stated.

Phillip Spurr, Pendle Borough Council’s Director of Place said:

“The vision to re-develop Pendle Rise Shopping Centre site stems from extensive public consultation carried out as part of the Nelson Masterplan.

“Most people who gave their views wanted to see Pendle Rise tackled as a priority.

“That’s why it’s central to Revitalised Nelson which is one of seven projects led by the Nelson Town Deal funded by £25 million GovernmentTown Deal investment,” he explained.

Over £9m has been earmarked for the Revitalised Nelson project which aims to bring vacant and underused town centre buildings like Pendle Rise back into use. 

To comment on the plans for Pendle Rise visit the Council’s website: 
www.pendle.gov.uk/planning , click on view and comment on planning applications and key in Pendle Rise to find all the documents.

The full planning application can also be viewed at Number One Market Street Nelson
BB9 7LJ opposite Nelson Town Hall during opening hours 8.45am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.45am – 4.45pm on Friday.

As well as online, comments can be made in writing to the Planning Services Manager, Town Hall, Market Street, Nelson, BB9 7LG.

Phillip Spurr added:

“We know this is an unsettling time for traders in Pendle Rise and we have been having one to one meetings with them.

“There will be support for them in finding new premises in Nelson town centre at the right time.”

Mike Nuttall, Property Director for the Brookhouse Group which is working on Pendle Rise, said:

 “As a northern private sector developer with expertise in retail and a wide range of commercial projects we are enjoying working on this exciting new challenge.

“We hope our involvement will help to deliver a real positive change in Nelson and other parts of Pendle as part of our ten year partnership with the Council.”

 Additional public engagement and consultation carried out prior to the Pendle Rise planning application included leaflets delivered to homes and businesses to ask for comments with hundreds of people viewing the plans online.

A series of community events run by local arts organisation, In-Situ, has also actively engaged with Nelson residents in making plans for their town’s future.

Councillors at the 24 August Policy and Resources Committee in 2022 made a resolution for a Compulsory Purchase Order to buy Pendle Rise Shopping Centre. 

The Planning Application is the next stage in the process and the plans aim to create a more appealing retail focal point along Leeds Road and from the bus/rail public interchange, with a high quality frontage.

This will create a welcoming gateway to the town and create a strong link between the proposed development and the rest of the centre.

The designs are focused on improving the character and architecture of the area whilst being in sympathy with the rest of the town.