Pendle progresses £22m Rise redevelopment  

The council remains locked in negotiations to acquire the Nelson shopping centre from Future Properties. Plans are being drawn to demolish the 106,000 sq ft retail asset and build a 43,000 sq ft mixed-use complex.

Last year, Pendle Council announced its intention to acquire Pendle Rise, either through negotiation or compulsory purchase order, as part of the authority’s redevelopment of Nelson town centre. 

Pendle and development partner Brookhouse – which established the PenBrook JV last year – plan to invest £12m in the project as well as spending an additional £9m of a wider £25m Town Deal allocation. 

The council will hold a public consultation on its proposals for the redevelopment of Pendle Rise before a planning application is lodged. Urban Edge Architecture has drawn up indicative proposals for the scheme.

In brief, the council plans to knock down the shopping centre and create a new retail scheme. 

Existing tenants will be relocated to refurbished units elsewhere within the town centre while work takes place. 150 parking spaces are also planned as part of the Pendle Rise scheme. 

“Exciting plans to revitalise Nelson are moving forward,” said Cllr Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Council. 

“By working together, we will create a brighter future for Nelson and Pendle,” he added. 

Another element of Pendle’s Nelson intervention is the redevelopment of Trafalgar House. 

This project will see the building revamped to contain retail/commercial space at ground floor, with the possibility of an apartment above.  

At the rear the plan is to install 13 EV charging points and 15 car parking spaces, including two spaces reserved for disabled drivers. 

The Trafalgar House scheme will cost £1.7m with the majority of funding coming from the Towns Fund. 

The total cost of Pendle’s Nelson masterplan to £29m, according to a report to the council’s Town Deal Board. 

Mike Nuttall, property director for the Brookhouse Group, which is working on both Pendle Rise and Trafalgar House, said: “As a Northern private sector developer with expertise in retail and a wide range of commercial projects, we are enjoying working on this exciting new challenge. 

“We hope our involvement will help to deliver a real positive change in Nelson. Our initial focus is the town centre, but we are also looking forward to widening our involvement across Pendle through our 10-year partnership with the council.”