Barley Parish Council
Ogden Reservoirs, Whitehough, Planning, Turning Area...
I trust everyone enjoyed the great weather we had in late June, not quite the heatwave some got but certainly a heatwave in these parts. At the time of writing, we are all watering bedding plants and watching the grass and weeds grow before our eyes. For anyone able to put a little time into maintaining the village, please help us keep on top of the weeds, litter and general tidiness when you can.
Works at Upper Ogden Reservoir are moving along in the good weather and the increase in the height and thickness of the wave wall on top of the dam is shown below, copings will be going on soon on the first section. The contractor is hoping to complete in September then footpaths will re-open again.
I have to say that the works to improve the spillway on Lower Ogden Reservoir are most disappointing in that concrete will cover all the masonry construction of 1914.
Personally, I think this heritage asset should be maintained but it would seem little can be done unless somebody can advise on a way to stop this vandalism.
Meanwhile, down in Whitehough you might recall that the landowner arranged for a new overlay macadam surface on the access road / bridleway from Barley Road in October’25. The new surface created a slip hazard for horses and so LCC closed the bridleway to equestrians. Pendle BC then arranged for a contractor to cover the new macadam surface with a non-slip surface. This was done in April’26 but PBC are not satisfied that the new surface on the bridleway provides a satisfactory high friction surface. The bridleway has again been closed, and a solution is being sought.
Planning matters – a proposed rear extension replacing old outbuildings at Riverwood bungalow, in the centre of the village, will undoubtedly improve this property. It cannot be seen from the highway and the PC have no objections to the application. There are two applications at Waterside House in Whitehough, the first is for a certificate of lawful use for an existing chimney which the PC has no objections. The second is for a detached garage within the garden which the PC has objected to, considering it so large it has a detrimental impact on the conservation area.
The Council are planning improvement works on the Turning Area to reduce standing water after rainfall. It will include drainage works and these are expected to take place in the Autumn.