Pendle Borough Council
Market Street, Nelson, Lancashire BB9 7LG
Tel: 01282 661661 Fax: 01282 661130
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Pendle chosen to be within a Pathfinder area?
Pathfinders in general were identified through research by Birmingham University and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) into falling housing demand and prices across the country. From this East Lancashire and Pendle, among other specific locations, were identified as needing help to restructure its housing market and to address social problems.
Why has this major investment happened now?
The money to invest into Pendle and other Pathfinder areas has come from the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review in July 2002 which assigns Government spending over a wide variety of issues including health, education and transport.
Part of the money set aside from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) will be used to fund all the Pathfinder initiatives across the country to benefit over 400,000 properties blighted by low demand and abandonment.
How long is the Housing Market Renewal process going to take?
Pendle Council's Housing Market Renewal Team is working on producing a 10-15 year regeneration plans providing long term investment to turn around some of the problems Pendle is facing.
Why have only certain areas in Pendle been targeted with this funding?
The areas identified for Housing Market Renewal initiatives are the ones in most need which would benefit the most from additional help and funding. The areas are generally typified by:
- A predominance of small pre 1919 terraced housing
- Lack of open space to expand homes and for community use
- A growth in private sector landlords
- High vacancy rates or high quantity of abandoned and poorly maintained properties
Revitalising these areas will have a knock on effect for the whole of Pendle with a wider choice of housing stock suitable for first time buyers, single households and family homes.
Pendle's community and environment will also benefit with projects such as neighbourhood management, renovation schemes, community cohesion events or even just more open space for a game of football!
Has Pendle Council decided what is going to happen in detail?
Area Development Frameworks (ADF's), which set out a 10-15 year strategy, have been approved for Brierfield and Colne. The Nelson ADF is being produced and should be completed by the end of the year.
The detail of what will happen in each of neighbourhood will be developed through consultation with communities and masterplanning. Each project will then be approved by the Council's Executive.
The ADF's will be periodically updated. If you would like to know more on getting involved in this decision making process and about consultation events, see our Consultation page.
Will improvement grants be made available?
The Council will carry out improvement projects within the ADFs on certain properties. These will only be external improvements but the Council is also trying to get additional funding for internal renovation grants.
Will homes be demolished and in what areas?
Selective demolition is part of the Housing Market Renewal and is an option being considered by the council, its consultants and residents.
Demolition will not be on the scale seen in the 1960s and 1970s but will be selective to open up space for improvements to homes, create gardens and provide community spaces.
These clearance areas may also be used for new developments to widen the range of homes available to Pendle residents.
For specific project information check out the Nelson, Colne and Brierfield sections.
What compensation is available if my house is demolished?
If your home is within a clearance area the Council's Estates team will carry out a full valuation of your property to assess its current market value.
If your home falls within a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) you will receive the market value along with legal costs, disturbance fees (legal and surveyors fees) and home loss payment of at least £3,200.
Relocation grants are available of up to £20,000 for households to buy another property in Pendle. This would only apply to owner-occupiers who had owned the property for more than 2 years and other conditions will apply.
If my home is acquired through negotiation or Purchase Order (CPO) will the valuation reflect the negative impact this might cause?
The value of homes within clearance areas will be assessed as if no proposals have been made. In other words, you would not lose out financially if the proposed clearance has had an effect on the property's price.
Is anything going to be done about the rise in anti-social behaviour?
Housing Market Renewal is not just about solving housing problems, it is a holistic approach to improving people's lives across the Borough therefore funding will also be available for projects such as Neighbourhood Management. This will look at how best to coordinate local services delivered by different agencies to tackle problems including anti-social behaviour.
As a tenant of a private rented or Housing Association house which the Council wishes to buy, what compensation and help will I get and how will HMR affect me?
As a tenant, you may be entitled to a Disturbance Payment which covers the reasonable costs of items such as removal costs and refitting carpets/curtains associated with moving to a new house.
You may also be eligible for a Home Loss Payment of £3,100 if you have occupied the house for 12 months or more.
The Council's Housing Team will assist you with finding alternative accommodation, if you wish to move into social rented housing or sheltered accommodation.
As a landlord, what compensation and help will I get if my property is bought by the Council?
As a landlord of a house, you will get the market value for the property and legal/surveyors costs. If the property is furnished to let, you may also be eligible for a Disturbance Payment to help towards reasonable removal costs refitting carpets/curtains associated with buying an alternative property.
With the rise in single person households shouldn't we been keeping these properties rather than demolishing them?
Yes single person households are increasing but people's aspirations are also changing. Many people look to owning a house with a garden, off road parking, studies and spare bedrooms. Terraced housing does not meet everyone's needs, therefore a variety of housing is needed.
