Whitefield revamp a step closer

2:43pm Monday 30th July 2007

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By Camilla Sutcliffe »

THE first plans for the regeneration of Nelson have been submitted to the council.

The outline application covering a large swathe of the town, from the canal bank at McLeod Street to Manchester Road and Stanley Street, will be discussed by Pendle Council's Nelson Committee next Monday.

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As already shown off by developers R.Gen, the plans include demolition of 23 houses in Moseley Street, but the building of 72 new homes, ranging from small flats to large family houses.

The regenerated Whitefield area is also set to be environmentally friendly, with a combined heat and power plant powered with wind turbines to serve the whole development.

The application is the first stage of the planning process. Details including how the properties will be distributed and how commercial properties will be added into the scheme are yet to be decided, and there will be more public consultation.

But some residents in the area have already voiced opposition to the scheme, saying the project is too big for the area, and that the designers should instead be aiming for a "simple and straightforward" look.

There were also complaints the heritage look of the area would be damaged by creating larger houses behind traditional terrace frontages, and by demolishing buildings which could be saved.

Concerns have also been raised over parking provision for the new homes, and over whether the new properties will be affordable for the people who were forced to move out of the area by the scheme.

Members are expected to back the plans and planning officer Paul Whittigham recommended them for approval.

In his report, he said: "This is a large regeneration scheme that will act as a catalyst and secure signi-ficant regeneration pros-pects for a much wider area.

"The mix of houses proposed is a way of meeting the housing needs of a wider community than at present.

"The scheme does support the regeneration of the area and does support the historic fabric and layout whilst providing much-needed intervention."