Parish News

An unwanted milestone this week is that the war in Ukraine has now been going on for two years. Watching the images of the bombing and the misery the people are suffering on TV, and with similar from Gaza, are what mainly dominate the news programmes. As distressing the images are, they are far away places from our living rooms but it will be a great day when these wars eventually come to an end and these people can at least enjoy the peace we sometimes take for granted. Puts some of our gripes in to perspective.

We have now been working on the playground improvement project for 12 months. A lot of time has gone into planning and managing the procurement process and whilst there have been a few frustrations, we now have a confirmed provider in Kompan Ltd, along with a final design and price agreed. We will soon be holding a pre-contract letting meeting with Kompan, and if all goes well, we will then place a Works Order for more than £30k. Playground equipment does not come cheap! We think works will now be in progress during May.

As I reported last month, much of the playground fence blew down in January and we have had equipment failures as well, meaning the playground looks somewhat dilapidated. When we started this project all the playground equipment was in good order and we have been surprised at the failures we have had in recent months. We undertake formal monthly safety inspections and so some equipment has had to be removed; obviously there is little point in repairing old equipment during the winter when new equipment is expected in May. Kompan have asked that the fence is not replaced until the new playground is completed; this will improve access for them and removes the risk of damage to the fence when craning new equipment on to site.

Work that is progressing this month is the rebuilding of a masonry wall next to the Cabin. The wall was in a poor and dangerous condition in parts but with some funding from Pendle BC and the Parish Council we are hoping that we will have a solid and attractive boundary wall by the end of March. The Parish Council are managing this project.

There is no update to report on resident parking other than we await the County Council to formally advertise the “Date of Enforcement” in the local press before the scheme can start.

Planning Matters – the Planning Inspectorate has overruled Pendle Borough Council in allowing planning permission for the development of Cross Lane Farm When these events occur it highlights the vagaries of the planning system when two professionally qualified planners come to very different decisions. It is also frustrating for the developer as a lot of time is lost. Boothman Wood has been sold and the Council looks forward to meeting the new owner; we will bring up the most recent flooding of Barley New Road in January as seen below – hopefully PBC might have more success in solving this recurring problem with the new owner.

Please note there will be a Clayton Harriers Fell Race in Barley on Saturday 2 March centred around the Village Hall – it will be a busy day for traffic and visitors, particularly between 0900-1100Hrs, but it should be mainly over by 1400Hrs. Finally, belated platinum birthday wishes to Annette Bateman and well done in raising £285 for the hospice at your birthday bash.