Barley Parish Council
Barley Chapel, Planning, Whitehough road, Turning Area
Back in August 2024 an emergency meeting to discuss the future of Barley Chapel was held and over 40 residents attended. The first action is for the Chapel to enrol 13 members so that the Methodist Circuit will keep the chapel open; the chapel now has 17 members. The next task was to raise funds for urgent repairs and about £50k has been raised to date and we are now at the stage that the priority repairs have been completed. The areas with dry rot have been replaced and a new roof installed at the back of the chapel. Volunteers have been involved in installing new cables, plastering, a big clean up and painting. The project has been driven forward by Rob, Lorraine and Angie and I am sure we all appreciate what has been achieved by them and a band of volunteers. My only disappointment is that more volunteers did not come forward when asked through Facebook; so many attended the emergency meeting in 2024 and so many parents have children in the FOG club etc, I thought there might be more.
There is still work to do and there are three priorities; the first priority is to raise money to pay for the next two priorities. The second involves removing a small area of dry rot in the vestry and re-roofing it up to the ridge, and the third is the urgent replacement of an internal window lintel which is near to collapsing. Donations of money and free labour are required to finish the structure.
Planning Updates – PBC have granted permission for a new roof on the car park Cabin bistro which will match the new roof on the toilet block, and for three new rooflights on the rear roof slope at No.7 Barley Green. The PC objected to a new garage being built at Waterside House, Whitehough because it was too large; the developer subsequently reduced the design size sufficiently to be approved by PBC.
You might recall that a new macadam road surface on the private access road into Whitehough created a slip hazard for horses and subsequently a new high friction thin surface was added in April 2026. Following a safety complaint PBC had concerns about the high friction surface and the bridleway was closed to horses. Following discussions with the supplier, who undertook tests on the surface, the supplier took the position that the surface is performing as it should. The Council then asked residents to report their experiences when using the friction surface. Subsequently PBC have decided not to challenge the supplier’s position. They are now following up with the alternative options for improving the surface for bridleway users. We might see test patches in the near future as other solutions are assessed.
Pendle BC’s offer of grant funding support to the PC’s planned improvement works on the Turning Area, to reduce standing water after rainfall, has been accepted and tender documents have been issued to three contractors with a return date in early September. The project is expected to take place in the Autumn. Be aware that most of the Turning Area will be closed to traffic for several weeks as works progress.
I found an interesting fact today that is worth sharing. Back in September 1752 Britan lost 11 days in the blink of an eye. The government moved us from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and the date jumped from 2 to 14 September and many protested they had lost 11 days of their life, and those with birthdays never had one that year. Nothing is recorded in UK history for those days. What would happen today, well those on monthly salary would be delighted.
Finally, the Council welcomes Sam as the new manager of the Pendle Inn. The pub has faced challenges in recent times. Sam knows this but recognises this is an iconic pub with great potential and his philosophy is to look forward. We wish him well.