Colne Neighbourhood Plan

DESIGN CODE June 2021 Quality information

Document Ref Prepared for Prepared by Date Reviewed name by Colne 60571087 Colne Town Wei Deng, 06 2021 Lucy Sykes, Design Code DR- 11143 Council AECOM AECOM, Lee Wood, AECOM

Limitations

This document has been prepared by AECOM Limited (“AECOM”) in accordance with its contract with Locality (the “Client”) and in accordance with generally accepted consultancy principles, the budget for fees and the terms of reference agreed between AECOM and the Client. Any information provided by third parties and referred to herein has not been checked or verified by AECOM, unless otherwise expressly stated in the document. AECOM shall have no liability to any third party that makes use of or relies upon this document. Revision history This document is intended to aid the preparation of the Neighbourhood Plan, and can be used to guide decision making and as evidence to support Plan policies, if the Qualifying Body (QB) so chooses. It is not a neighbourhood plan policy document. It was developed by AECOM based on the evidence and data reasonably available at the time of assessment and therefore has the potential to become superseded by more recent Revision Revision Details Authorised Name Position information. The QB is not bound to accept its conclusions. If landowners or any other party can demonstrate that any of the evidence presented herein is inaccurate or out of date, such evidence can be presented to the QB at the consultation stage. Where evidence from elsewhere conflicts date with this report, the QB should decide what policy position to take in the Neighbourhood Plan and that judgement should be documented so that it can be defended at the Examination stage. First Draft xx xx WD Wei Deng Principal Copyright

Urban © This Report is the copyright of AECOM UK Limited. Any unauthorised reproduction or usage by any person other than the addressee is strictly Designer prohibited

FINAL AECOM Colne Design Code

Contents 01 Introduction...... x

02 Planning context...... x

03 Analysis: high level baseline...... x

04 Engagement...... x

05 Design Codes...... x

06 Next Steps...... x

3

01

1 INTRODUCTION Colne Design Code AECOM

1.1 Background 1.2 Purpose and Approach 1.3 Document Structure Locality is a national membership network for The purpose of this report is to provide design This Design Code report is structured into 6 community organisations which empowers local principles and codes for Colne, which can be applied sections: people to lead and influence decision-making in their to future potential development sites. 1. Introduction area. The boundary for the Colne study area in this Design Local communities can use neighbourhood planning Code report is defined by the current Colne Parish 2. Planning Context as a means of changing their neighbourhoods for the boundary (Figure 1). 3. Analysis: High Level Baseline better. Through Locality’s support programme, the The process that was undertaken in order to Colne Town Council (CTC) have appointed AECOM produce this Design Code report is as follows: 4. Engagement to undertake a number of studies which will underpin their emerging Neighbourhood Plan. AECOM has − AECOM representatives attended an online 5. Design Codes been commissioned to provide a Design Code inception meeting with the CTC in March 2021, document, which will provide urban design guidance and site walkover in Colne (date) to define the 6. Next Step to help to deliver good quality places within Colne. brief and direction for this Design Code report.

− AECOM studied and reviewed the existing town character areas and suggested a series of focus areas.

− AECOM produced a draft Design Code report based on the finding from the previous stages.

− The draft report was reviewed by the CTC.

− After capturing the feedback from the review, AECOM issued the final Design Code report.

6 AECOM Colne Design Code

N Lake Burwain

Foulridge Upper Reservoir Red Lane

A56

A6068

Colne Vivary Way A56 Colne Water

Knotts Lane

KEY Colne Study Area

Figure 1: Colne Study Area Map

500m 2,500m 7

1,250m

PLANNING 02 2 CONTEXT Colne Design Code AECOM

2.1 Planning Policy Colne is a market town in the Borough of Pendle, Part 13 (Protecting Green Belt land) outlines the It identifies ten characteristics which underpin good Lancashire. Any future development within the area importance the Government attaches to Green Belts design; Context, Identity, Built Form, Movement, should comply with national and local planning and the role of these designations in preventing Nature, Public Spaces, Uses, Homes and Buildings, policy. This section provides such planning policy urban sprawl and keeping land permanently open. Resources and Lifespan. This report will use the context as follows: principles of this National Design Guidance to help Part 15 (Conserving and enhancing the natural inform the Design Codes. environment) encourages awareness of the natural National Planning Policy and local environment by protecting and enhancing National Planning Policy Framework (2019) valued landscapes, recognising the intrinsic A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the character and beauty of the countryside, and Environment (2018) recognising the wider benefits from natural capital The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) The 25 Year Environment Plan aims to deliver cleaner and ecosystem services. outlines the Government’s overarching economic, air and water in cities and rural landscapes, protect environmental and social planning policies for This national guidance will be adhered to and threatened species and provide richer wildlife England to achieve sustainable development. supported within this Design Code document. habitats. It calls for an approach to agriculture, The policies within this framework apply to the forestry, land use and fishing that puts the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans and Part 16(Conserving and enhancing the historic environment first. act as a framework against which decisions are environment) made on planning applications. Specifies that plans set out a positive strategy for Any new development in Colne should be proposed The NPPF states that a key objective of the planning the conservation and enhancement of the historic in the context of the Country’s aim for the next 25 system is to contribute to the achievement of environment, identifying sustainable uses which years to achieve greener and cleaner environment sustainable development, which will be achieved sustain and enhances the significance of heritage and tackle climate change. through three overarching objectives. One of these assets. The historic environment is recognised as is an environmental objective, which seeks to having potential to contribute positively to local Environment Bill (2020) contribute to protect and enhance the natural, built character and distinctiveness. and historic environment. The parts of particular The Bill aims to improve the environment, through relevance to this Design Codes report are: prioritising areas of air quality, water, biodiversity, Part 12 (Achieving well-designed places) National Design Guide (2019) resource efficiency and waste reduction. Any states that design policies should be developed new development should be designed with The National Design Guide sets out the with local communities so that they reflect local its contribution to the Bill’s aims and targets characteristics of well-designed places and aspirations and are grounded in an understanding safeguarding nature, tackle climate change and demonstrates what good design means in principle and evaluation of the areas defining characteristics. providing comfortable living to the residents, and in practice. It supports the ambitions of the It tells how Neighbourhood Plans can play an achieving high levels of sustainable development. NPPF to utilise the planning and development important role in identifying the special qualities process in the creation of high-quality places. It is The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological of each area and explaining how this should intended to be used by local authorities, applicants Areas Act 1979 be reflected in development. It encourages and local communities to establish the design developments which are visually attractive, expectations of the Government. This legislation imposes a requirement for sympathetic to local character and history including Scheduled Monument Consent for any works of the surrounding built environment and landscape demolition, repair and alteration that might affect a setting. designated Scheduled Monument.

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Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation over the 15 year period between 2015 and 2030. Development in the Open Countryside and AONB Areas) Act 1990 Specifically it establishes: (2020)

This legislation sets out the principal statutory • A settlement hierarchy and show how new Will provide detailed guidance for development provisions that must be considered in the development should be distributed across Pendle. located in the Open Countryside and Area of determination of any application affecting listed Outstanding Natural Beauty. buildings and conservations. It establishes • How many new homes should be built in different that special regard to desirability of preserving parts of Pendle. Neighbourhood Plan the building pf tits setting and the desirability • How much employment land should be developed. The Localism Act 2011 gives Town Councils new of preserving or enhancing the character and powers to prepare statutory Neighbourhood appearance of a conservation area. The Ancient • A broad framework for the protection and Development Plans (NDPs) to help local areas Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 enhancement of our natural and historic develop. Through NDPs, local people have the environments. This Act imposes a requirement for Scheduled opportunity to shape new development as the Monument Consent granted by the Secretary of development plan determines planning applications State for any works to a designated Scheduled unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Monument. Once made, the Colne Neighbourhood Development Plan (CNDP) will become part of the statutory Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation development plan for Pendle, sitting alongside the Areas) Act 1990 Pendle Local Plan Core Strategy and the Pendle Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) Local Plan. The Colne Town Council published the This legislation sets out the principal statutory CNDP for the formal Regulation 14 consultation in provisions that must be considered in the The Council currently has five SPDs. The documents 2020. This Design Code will support the production determination of any application for works below provides a summary of the purpose and status of the CNDP. affecting listed buildings and conservation areas. of Pendle’s SPDs. The Act stipulates that in deciding whether to grant permission for works which affect a listed Brierfield Canal Corridor (2005) Colne’s Heritage Assets 2020 building, special regard is given to the desirability of Provides guidance to assist in the preparation of preserving the building, its setting or any features This document provides a list of non-designated proposals for the redevelopment of a number of key of special architectural or historic interest which it heritage assets and locally important urban sites within the Brierfield Canal Corridor area. possesses. character areas to inform future policy. Conservation Area Design and Development Local Planning Policy Conservation Area Design and Development Guidance (2008) Guidance (2008) The Local Plan sets out policies for the development Provides guidance on design of development in and protection of land. It shows how and where new Provides guidance on development within or in Conservation Areas. development will take place over the next 15 years. close proximity to designated conservation areas in order to ensure that character Is preserved or The Core Strategy is the key Development Plan Design Principles (2009) enhanced. Document (DPD) that will form part of the new Provides design guidance for householder extension, Local Plan for Pendle. It sets out the strategic shopfronts and advertisements. planning policies the Council will use to help guide development to the most sustainable places

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The principle best practice reference material which • Building for Life 12 (BfL12) (Building for Life 2.2 Best Practice Design has influenced the design of future development at Partnership of: Cabe at the Design Council, the Guidance the Site include the following: Home Builders Federation and Design for Homes with the assistance of Nottingham Trent The Design Codes set out within this document have • Urban Design Compendium (UDC) 1 and 2 University). been influenced significantly by the guidance and (Homes and Communities Agency); content of best practice material. This includes Reference to these key best practice and local guidance documents that provide essential • Manual for Streets and Manual for Streets (MfS) standards documents ensures that future reserved information about good design, along with various 2 (Department for Transport); matters applications will be guided by parameters standards and criteria against which the design of that have local and national recognition. the built environment can be assessed. • Car Parking: What works where (Homes and Communities Agency formerly English Partnerships);and

Guidance The Trees and Design Action Group

Building for a Healthy Life

Urban Design Manual for Streets 2 Car Parking: What works Compendium where

Website http://collections. http://www.ciht.org.uk/en/ http://collections.europarchive. https://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/ http://www.tdag.org.uk/guides--resources. europarchive.org/ document-summary/index.cfm/ org/tna/20100911035042/ type/Building-for-a-Healthy-Life/ html Link tna/20100911035042/http:// docid/055693F6-8DB0-4BBE- http://englishpartnerships.co.uk/ englishpartnerships.co.uk/ AA9FF1B5BC5E9412 Key 1. UDC1 Urban design MfS2 aims to assist in the Evaluates a variety of parking Building for a Healthy Life (BHL) is the The Trees and Design Action Group Guidance principles - explains key creation of streets that: options available against the latest edition of - and new name for - (TDAG) brings together a pioneering aspects of urban design 1. Help to build and following values: Building for Life 12. group of individuals, professionals and how these can be strengthen the 1. The quality of the and organisations from wide ranging applied to create places communities they serve. neighbourhood, or creating The updated document sets out 12 disciplines in both the public and private where people want to live, 2. Meet the needs of all a ‘good address’; design considerations when planning sectors to increase awareness of the role work and socialise. users, by embodying the 2. Convenience of access and and building neighbourhoods, looking of trees in the built environment. 2. UDC2 Delivering quality principles of inclusive use between parking space; at public infrastructure of the built places - provides practical design. 3. Safe routes for people environment including transport, TDAG uses its membership’s broad guidance on the steps that 3. Form part of a well- going to and from the streetscaping and green space such as knowledge base to develop guides with can be taken and barriers connected network. parking space; parks. evidence-based information, practical that need to be overcome 4. Are attractive and have 4. Security of parked cars; advice and case studies to inform during policy and project their own distinctive 5. Efficiency of land and decision-making on urban trees. development to improve identity. construction costs. the quality of place 5. Are cost-effective to delivered. construct and maintain. 6. Are safe.

Table 1.1: Summary of the key best practice national standards documents which have informed the Design Code. 12 AECOM Colne Design Code

2.3 Approach for Defining the Focus Areas The Methodology Specific Consideration for Townscape Character The proforma breaks character down into the Assessment: following ten distinct categories: To define the Focus Areas within Colne, AECOM reviewed approaches used by the Landscape − Historical development − Layout Institute (LI) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The methodology used in the LI Townscape − Movement and connectivity − Topography Assessment and RTPI for character assessment − Urban structure and built form − Spaces cover similar items, but in different categories. − Heritage assets − Roads, streets, routes Landscape Institute (LI) Townscape Assessment- Technical Information Note (2017) − Green infrastructure and public realm − Green and natural features

This document explains how the principles − Tranquillity − Landmarks and general approach of landscape character assessment can be applied to townscape character − Stakeholder engagement − Buildings and details assessment. It also helps to clarify how practitioners typically interpret that guidance for townscapes by Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)- How to − Streetscape giving emphasis to particular issues that may need Prepare a Character Assessment to Support − Land Use to be considered when assessing, mapping and Design Policy within a Neighbourhood Plan describing the character of built-up areas. This document describes how to prepare a character − Views A townscape character assessment may present a assessment document, which details the distinct description of the townscape that is distinctive to appearance and feel of a settlement or an area, Method used in this report that place, supported by materials such as maps, illustrating key physical features and characteristics AECOM have taken the key principles of both illustrations and photographs. It can provide an which gives the area its specific identity. Through these methodologies, with particular focus understanding of how a place has evolved and preparing a character assessment document, the on four categories within the LI Townscape developed over time to respond to natural, social existing character of a neighbourhood area can Assessment: and economic drivers, and how this is reflected in the be documented and described. The assessment can then be used by developers and architects to layout of streets, the architecture of buildings and − Heritage Assets the materials used. help them understand the local character, which will contribute to creating sensitively designed − Urban structure and built form proposals to preserve the local area’s feel and appearances. − Movement and access

The RTPI also produced a character assessment − Green infrastructure and public realm proforma which provides a structured approach to identifying and classifying the distinctive The focus areas will be identified based upon the character of a settlement or neighbourhood area. study of the four categories above within the next section. The design codes will provide further detailed design guidelines for each category in Section 5.

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BASELINE BASELINE 03 3 STUDY Colne Design Code AECOM

3.1 Understanding Colne: Evolution of the town During the early medieval period settlement likely took the form of widely dispersed farmsteads, loosely nucleated around St Bartholomew’s Church. Waterside was established as the industrial centre early on; a corn and fulling mill were founded during the last decade of the 13th century. For the most part, industry in medieval Colne remained characteristically rural, consisting of cloth production and small-scale mining of coal deposits. The date of Colne’s first market is unrecorded but the likely identification of a market cross of 15th century origin suggest it had been established by the late medieval period, becoming a trading centre by the post- medieval period.

Within the early post-medieval period Colne’s textile industry experienced significant growth, becoming the centre of woollen cloth production in north east Lancashire. Waterside remained the industrial centre, distinct from the town.

During the late 19th century, the area between Waterside and Colne urban centre was in-filled by development of new terraces for workers. By this period advances in technology had resulted in in a rapid population increase.

Colne’s population declined from 26,000 in 1911 to 19,000 in 1961 as result of the decline of the cloth industry. Modern development in Colne can be largely characterised as commercial, comprising of large supermarkets and retail spaces.

Figure 2: The Colne in 1890 Source: www.archuk.com

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Captions to be added

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3.2 Baseline Study Landscape Character Area (LCA) moorlands; and

National Level • Many reservoirs on the moors, supplying drinking water to adjacent towns, wintering and breeding habitats for birds and high quality recreation Natural England identifies the broad study area as falling within National experiences.; Local stone buildings, with stone flags on roofs, bring a high Landscape Character Area NCA 35, Lancashire valleys. A small part of the area degree of homogeneity to towns, villages, hamlets and farmsteads. falls within NCA 36 Southern Pennines, a part of the Pennine ridge of hills. The Lancashire Valleys run north-east from Chorley through Blackburn and Burnley to Colne. The National Character Area (NCA) lies mainly in east Lancashire and is bounded to the north-west by the Bowland Fells fringe and the Millstone Grit outcrop of Pendle Hill, and to the south by the Southern Pennines. The Industrial Revolution saw the development and expansion of the major settlements, which include Colne. The towns are dominated by mills and Victorian-stone terraced housing. Numerous examples of the area’s industrial heritage remain, and are matched today by substantial areas of contemporary industrial development. Its pertinent key characteristics are identified as comprising (Figure xx): • There are numerous large country houses with associated parklands, particularly on the northern valley sides away from major urban areas; • There is evidence of a strong industrial heritage associated with the cotton weaving and textile industries, with many common artefacts such as mill buildings, mill lodges and ponds, and links to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal; • Robust Victorian architecture of municipal buildings contrasts with the vernacular sandstone grit buildings of the quiet rural settlements on the valley sides; and Colne • Numerous communication routes run along the valley bottoms, including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, the Preston–Colne railway and the M65 motorway. The north-west edge of the Conle neighbourhood area has some typical NCA 36 character, which includes: • Large-scale, open, sweeping landscape with high flat-topped hills providing extensive views, cut into by narrow valleys with wooded sides; KEY Figure 3: Landscape Character Areas • Mosaics of moorland vegetation on the plateaux, including blanket bog and around Colne heathland, supporting internationally important habitats and assemblages of Colne Study Area upland birds, invertebrates and breeding waders; Pendle District boundary • Enclosed upland pastures and hay meadows enclosed by drystone walls on the hillsides, and narrow valleys with dense gritstone settlements in the valleys, NCA: Southern pennines with steep slopes often densely wooded, providing strong contrast with open NCA: Lancashire Valleys

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Local Level

In October 1999, the Lancashire County Council commissioned 6a Environmental Resources Management (ERM) to undertake a comprehensive, integrated landscape and assessment of Lancashire, 14b including the urban areas, and produce a landscape strategy informed by Colne the landscape character assessment process. The overall study consists of two separate reports; a Landscape Character Assessment and a Landscape Strategy. This report presents a complete description and classification of the 6a landscapes within the study area, an analysis of its geology and topography, and the historical evolution of land cover patterns, land use, and settlement. It will provide a valuable source of information for planning and land management in Lancashire. The Colne town is surrounded by Landscape Character Area 6a Calder Valley from north and south. This landscape character area encompasses the landscape of the broad valley of the River Calder outside the urban Colne town settlements. Stone walls remain the predominant boundary type on higher Figure 4: Landscape Character Areas Character Area 14b around Colne in ‘The Lancashire ground, although there are frequently hedgerows and post and wire fencing Lothersdale and Cringles on the lower slopes and valley bottom. The landscape is well-populated; Landscape Strategy’ there are many houses, footpaths and large farms. The urban fringes of Character Area 6a Calder Valley Colne, Nelson and Burnley exert an influence over the landscape; close to the urban edge, there are pockets of neglected land, and urban fringe Overarching Design Principles land uses such as horse paddocks, garden centres and retail or industrial buildings. Any development should will the principles in the policies above, with an emphasis on the following points: The western part of the study area falls within Landscape Character Area 14b Lothersdale and Cringles. The combination of limestone with Millstone • Design development at all stages should consider the importance Grit has created a soft Cringles landscape of rolling hills. The land is divided of the distinctive local landscape that provides a local character to into a patchwork of improved pastures by stone walls, characteristically the area; lighter than those of the gritstone areas and punctuated by small stands of • At a more local scale, proposals should reflect the specific trees. Trees are conspicuous in the landscape and produce strong patterns characteristics that differentiate the settlements; on the hillsides where they fill cloughs and steep crevices associated with the becks which drain them. • The potential for significant landscape impacts from development within settlements should be given weight when selecting sites, particularly that may be large or obtrusive.

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3.2 Baseline Study Movement Network and Access Vehicular Vehicular movement within the Neighbourhood Area is constrained by local topography and more expansive countryside areas. The A56 and A6068 (Vivary Way) form two spines across the middle of town, creating a loop movement network. The M65 and A6068 (Keighley Road) connects the settlements of Colne with Cross Hills to the west, while the A56 provides access to towns to the south-west. The A56 and A6068 are key strategic route and are expected to become increasingly congested. The remaining roads serve the settlement areas or are rural lanes that permeate across the fringe areas. The Colne railway station is located to the west of the town, next to the Pendle Leisure Centre, provides quick access to more expansive western regions, including Nelson and Burley.

Captions to be added

Overarching Design Principles • Street design should refer to Lancashire highways technical requirements; • Placemaking principles are encouraged to be adopted within the streetscape; and • These spaces should be seen as attractive and safe by all users on foot, cycle, wheelchair, public and private transport.

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N Lake Burwain

Foulridge Upper Reservoir Red Lane

A56

A6068

Colne Vivary Way A56 M65 Colne Water

Knotts Lane

A56 KEY Colne Study Area

Vehicular network 500m 2,500m Railway line and station 1,250m Figure 5: Movement network Map

21 Colne Design Code AECOM

3.2 Baseline Study Movement Network and Access Non-Vehicular routes The Neighbourhood Area has extensive coverage of Public Rights of Way (PRoW), providing many traffic-free routes for walking around the town. PRoW help to connect the communities and permeate the settlement areas. These can often offer more direct routes across the topography than the road network. In the countryside areas, there is considerably more non-vehicular connectivity than vehicular connectivity. The road, rail and water system alongside the topography create some barriers to pedestrian movement between the west and east of the Neighbourhood Area. The PRoW network joins roads around the town and provides connections to the town centre via existing streets. The topography of the Neighbourhood Area and its settlements pose considerable challenges for cyclists and those with mobility problems.

Figure 6: Cycle route map Source: www.openstreetmap.org

22 Captions to be added AECOM Colne Design Code

N Lake Burwain

Foulridge Upper Reservoir

A6068 Colne

Vivary Way A56 Colne Water

KEY Colne Study Area

Public Rights of Way

500m 2,500m

1,250m Figure 7: Non-vehicular movement

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3.2 Baseline Study Heritage Assets Colne has a singular grade I listed building, comprising of St Bartholomew’s Church. Within Colne’s urban centre there are three grade II* listed buildings and a high number of grade II listed assets within the Colne study area. Four conservation areas have been identified wholly within the Colne study area comprising of: • Albert Road Conservation Area; • Greenfield Conservation Area; • Primet Bridge Conservation Area; and • Lidgett and Bents Conservation Area. A small section of the Trawden Forest Conservation Area is also captured within the Colne Study Area, although only a small portion of this Conservation Area overlaps with the Colne study area boundary. Caption to be added Much of Colne’s historic building stock comprises of late post- medieval and early modern terraces in locally quarried gritstone. Alongside the surviving mill structures, such as Primet Foundry, these former mill workers terraces demonstrate historical associations with the textile industry as a driving force for expansion.

Overarching Design Principles • New developments should make use of traditional building materials particularly the use of stone facades, both rubble and ashlar. • The scale of the local historic built form should be respected by new development..

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N

Lidgett and Bents Conservation Area

Albert Road Conservation Area

Greenfield Conservation Area

Primet Bridge Conservation Area Trawden Forest Conservation Area

KEY Colne Study Area

Conservation Area 500m 2,500m

1,250m Listed Building

Figure 8: Heritage assets plan 25 Colne Design Code AECOM

3.2 Baseline Study Green Belt and Countryside The Green Belt in Pendle covers 2,067 hectares of land around the settlements of the M65 Corridor, helping to prevent them from coalescing and losing their identity. The Green Belt in Colne, located to the north of the town, helps prevent unrestricted urban sprawl, safeguards the countryside from encroachment, and encourages the recycling of derelict urban land. Policy ENV 2 of the Local Plan states that Good design should be informed by, and reflect, the history and development of a place. Therefore proposals within the Colne neighbourhood area should seek to protect or enhance the natural environment. Where applicable, they should maintain the openness of the Green Belt. Open Countryside areas surround the Colne built up area all around apart from the west. The Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPD) ‘Development in the Open Countryside’ was published in 2002, which sets out the criteria for new development in the countryside areas of Pendle. Captions to be added

Overarching Design Principles • Any development should seek to deliver sustainable countryside by implementing local plan policies that promote the aims and objectives of the SPD; • Development in the Open Countryside will be permitted where its overall impact is assessed as beneficial and not detrimental to the landscape protection areas, is environmentally acceptable, and protects the area’s landscape character; and • Development proposals will need to demonstrate compatibility with the landscape sensitivity, and environmental objectives set out in Supplementary Planning Guidance.

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N Lake Burwain

Foulridge Upper Reservoir Green Belt

Colne

Colne Water

Open Countryside

KEY Colne Study Area

Open Countryside 500m 2,500m

1,250m Green Belt Figure 9: Wider countryside plan 27 Colne Design Code AECOM

3.2 Baseline Study Open Space Pendle Borough Council published the Open Space Audit in 2019 (OSA 2019), which provides information on the quantity, quality, distribution and accessibility of open space in the borough. In particular, it identifies those areas with either a surplus or deficit of open space compared to the borough-wide average. In the OSA 2019, Open Space is defined as: “All open space, in public or private ownership, that is located within a defined settlement or within 300 metres of a settlement boundary. These spaces should provide amenity value to a community in the form of visual, environmental, recreational, social or economic benefits together with all formally designated recreation areas irrespective of their location. ” The overall quantity of open space recorded has decreased since 2008. However, the borough’s quality of open space sites has generally improved since 2008, notably within the Play Area typology, including children’s playgrounds. In terms of accessibility, the analysis indicates that most residents in the town have good access to all typologies of open space when assessed against the relevant local standards. However, as Figure 10 suggests, most open spaces are located in fringe areas of the built-up areas. There are minimal open spaces at the heart of the town. The key open spaces to the north of the town include King George V Playground and Alkincoats Park. In addition, Langroyd Country Park provides recreational connections to the wider countryside. Ball Grove Park and Tum Hill Recreation Ground form main open spaces to the southern Colne. Caption to be added

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Lake Burwain N

Colne Golf Club Langroyd Country Park Foulridge Upper Reservoir

Alkincoats Park

King George V Playground

Ball Grove Park

Colne Wallace Hartley Grave Site

Tum Hill Recreation Ground

KEY Colne Study Area

Open Space 500m 2,500m

1,250m Built up Area

Figure 10: Open Space Plan 29 Colne Design Code AECOM

3.2 Baseline Study Environmental Designations ‘Pendle Biodiversity Audit’ forms part of the evidence base for the Local Development Plan for Pendle in 2010. It establishes baseline data for the regular monitoring which help to highlight any improvement or deterioration of biodiversity that occurs. Several large scale environmental designations are identified outside of the Colne built-up area (Figure 11). There are two Local Natural Importance (LNI)s in Colne: Ball Grove Lodge, and Greenfield Road. Upper Ball Grove (2.1ha) is located on the floodplain of Colne Water and was the first LNR to be declared in Pendle, being designated in April 2004. A lodge was constructed for use by a leather tannery downstream in what is now Ballgrove Park. The lodge has partially silted up and is locally dominated by Bulrush, Yellow Flag, Reed Canary-grass and Amphibious Bistort. Designated in 2006, Greenfield Road (3.2ha) is a small reserve on a former floodplain of Colne Water. The ponds within it support numerous species, including insects such as water boatmen and diving beetles. The site also supports 61 bird species, including a lively flock of long-tailed tits and Britain’s smallest bird, the Goldcrest. Species such as blue tit, robin and chaffinch can be seen. Many of these can be attracted to the food on the bird tables near the pond. Caption to be added Alkincoats Woodland LNR (8.0ha) was designated in 2006 and is a relatively recent broadleaved plantation, although there is a mature stand of Beech trees alongside Red Lane on the northern boundary. A variety of trees and shrubs have been planted, including oak, alder, ash, aspen, birch, wild cherry, hazel, blackthorn, rowan and other Overarching Design Principles native species. Small ponds, wetland areas and wildflower-rich rides • Field boundaries should be reinforced with appropriate planting (or provide various habitats for insects, mammals and birds. traditional stone boundary treatments). Planting should reflect the natural Tum Hill Recreation Ground Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS) is one shrub species of the locality and utilise native species. of three LGS in Pendle. Sites are afforded protection through their • New development proposals should aim for the creation of new habitats inclusion in spatial plans (i.e. Regional Spatial Strategy, or Local and wildlife corridors; e.g. by aligning back and front gardens. Gardens and Development Framework). boundary treatments should be designed to allow the movement of wildlife and provide habitat for local species

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N Lake Burwain

Foulridge Upper Reservoir Red Lane

Alkincoats Woodland LNR Upper Ball Grove Lodge LNR

Colne

Greenfield Road Nature Reserve

Tum Hill Recreation Ground

KEY Colne Study Area

LNR, LNI

500m 2,500m Protected area

1,250m Site of settlement character Figure 11: Environment assets plan 31 388000 389000 390000 Key: Flood Zone 3 Colne Design Code AECOM Flood Zone 2 N COWS South Valley AAP

Churchfields PAA

HMR Reserved Housing Sites 3.2 Baseline Study 9 Knotts Lane HMR Water Courses and Flood Risk Areas The majority of the Neighbourhood Area falls within the Colne 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 4 4 Water Catchment area. Colne Water runs from the northern 4 uplands through the southern valley of Colne, and join Pendle Colne Water Water in the neighbouring town Nelson. Reservoirs, Lake Burwain and Foulridge Upper Reservoir, are present in the upland areas South Valley AAP north of Colne.

388000 38As9000 Figure 12 shows, the South Valley Area390000 Action Plan (AAP) is a 154-hectare area situated approximately 4 kilometres southeast Key: 9 Flood Zone 3 Church Clough

of Colne town. Church Clough Brook and several other minor 9 Flood Zone 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 3 tributaries of Colne Water also flow through the southern part of 3 4 COWS 4 N 200 100 0 200 the site in a northerly direction. Potential flood risks to consider for Metres 1:10000 @ A3

South Valley AAP Project Path: G:/MODEL/PROJECTS/HM-250/ the redevelopment of the South Valley site include: Fluvial flooding 18108/Figures/Figures August 2006/18108_s17a_Fig_6-3.mxd Churchfields PAA Pendle Borough Council from Colne Water; and fluvial flooding from Church Clough Brook SFRA Stage 2 Report HMR Reserved Housing Sites and other minor tributaries of Colne Water. Figure 6.3 9 Knotts Lane HMR Potential Development Areas in Colne In line with the Sequential Test, development should ideally be Figure 12: South Valley AAP (Pendle SFRA Stage 2 Report) October 2006 18108-S17a cookc steered away from these zones to areas of lowest risk, i.e. zone 1. 388000 389000 390000 In addition, flood resistance and resilience mitigation measures This map is based upon Ordnance Survey data with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown copyright. Pendle Borough Council: 10018628 - 2006 should be employed in these zones to reduce the risk adequately. In the Colne Water valleys, the low ground means stormwater can often run overland (see Figure 13). If not guided and controlled Overarching Design Principles 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 appropriately, it can pond and cause flooding to the surrounding 0 4 4 • Existing watercourses and existing drainage systems, should 4 4 property. In the lower parts of the valleys, flow is constricted to a be taken into consideration and the drainage strategy should narrow channel, and therefore there can be significant variations mimic natural drainage patterns as closely as possible. in water levels during storms. The surface runoff from the upper parts of the valley (Colne town) also transports flow to the valley • Drainage should be considered early in the development floor very quickly, resulting in fast-rising waters and flash flooding. planning and design process, along with other keys considerations. There is an unnamed Main River identified along A6068 Vivary Way. Given the high number of commercial properties within Flood Zone • Development in a flood zone will be actively discouraged, 3, flood risk is a significant threat to the neighbourhood area, as except in exceptional circumstances. reiterated through various flood events in recent years, which have 9 caused considerable damage to the settlement areas.

9 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 9 3 3 4 4

200 100 0 200 Metres 1:10000 @ A3

Project Path: G:/MODEL/PROJECTS/HM-250/ 18108/Figures/Figures August 2006/18108_s17a_Fig_6-3.mxd 32 Pendle Borough Council SFRA Stage 2 Report

Figure 6.3 Potential Development Areas in Colne

October 2006 18108-S17a cookc 388000 389000 390000

This map is based upon Ordnance Survey data with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown copyright. Pendle Borough Council: 10018628 - 2006 AECOM Colne Design Code

N Lake Burwain

Foulridge Upper Reservoir Red Lane

A56

A6068

Colne Vivary Way A56 Colne Water River Laneshaw

Church Clough

KEY Colne Study Area

Water bodies Flood zone 2 Flood zone 3

500m 2,500m Main river Areas benefiting from 1,250m flood defences Figure 13: Flood risk map 33