Barley Parish Council
Planning applications, Barley Garage, Parking...
As we march into October we have winter in sight, but not before a glorious Autumn we hope. Bright reds, orange and gold colours will gradually appear on our trees in the coming weeks. The autumn tree display is expected to be even more vibrant this year according to Forestry England. Very warm and sunny weather over the summer means that trees have produced more sugar in their leaves which will transform them into brighter colours. Early displays are likely from mid-September and lasting well into November in some parts of the UK. We have had a decent summer this year but a bit more sun will not go amiss.
At the PC we have been responding to two planning applications; the first was a retrospective PA from the Higher Grange Glamping Site for a site maintenance building. Whilst outside the settlement boundary the building is small, was probably an oversight in the original approved PA and is well screened. The Council raised no objections.
More of interest is the Pendle Inn has submitted a PA for the erection of a single storey side extension, removal and replacement of windows and roof to the single storey rear conservatory and the formation of seven ancillary letting bedrooms. The width of the extension on the Burnley side is 4.5m which is relatively small in relation to the existing building; it would therefore not be prominent. The stonework with ashlar window jambs were to match the existing and the provision of better toilets and a disabled access were considered benefits. Similarly, the improvements to the conservatory, on the existing footprint, were considered an improvement to the existing conservatory. The Council raised no objections.
The Council have recently been in discussions with Barley Garage regarding the number of their vehicles parked around the village. The Council offered a significantly discounted rate for parking on the car park but this was turned down; the charges were acceptable, but the garage thought that there was a higher risk of theft and vandalism to vehicles than on the highway. On behalf of the residents of Barley Green and the Bullion, where there is no resident parking scheme, we have requested the garage does not park vehicles on the roadside of the Bullion so providing parking spaces for residents where the demand is high. Parking outside the car park causes less distress to residents.
On the subject of parking, you might have seen that notices have been erected by the County Council giving formal notice of their proposed Traffic Regulation Order which will restrict parking on Cross Lane; this is the second consultation process. LCC proposes double yellow lines from the village hall up to the bend just above the entrance to Heys Lane on the village hall side. They have chosen this side for safety reasons including the blind bend on the approach into Barley and because there is a footpath on the other side providing a degree of safety for those getting into or out of vehicles. Parking on the village hall side, where there is only a grass verge, is not as safe. This is the wider more formal consultation, involving press notices etc, which I referred to previously. If LCC eventually agree to install road lines, the process will probably take up to four months.
At the time of writing, the Council has just received five tender submissions from contractors to undertake improvement works to the toilet block. We are now assessing the tender prices submitted and we hope to get works underway by late October.
Members of the Council and of the wider community will have been saddened to hear of the passing of Barry Sudell who recently lived with Ceily at Ing End Farm. For many years a popular member of the local and caving community but he suffered poor health in recent times. Our sincere condolences are extended to Ceily and their family.