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Holiday cabins and barn conversion would harm rural landscape character in AONB

21st May 2020

The landscape of the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) must remain open and tranquil for the benefit of its many visitors.

CPRE Lancashire, Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester calls on Burnley council to reject an application for holiday cabins and a barn conversion in the protected landscape of Stone Fold Farm, Higham.

Sabden Fold | Graham McConnell

CPRE broadly supports farm diversification, acknowledging the need to support the rural tourism economy, and we are not opposed to the principle of such projects. However, in this case, we feel that there would be a negative planning balance from a number of adverse impacts, which would not only have an impact on the tranquillity of the area, but would also harm the openness of the countryside.

Access is also an issue, as there is no public transport to the site, so the additional holiday lets would lead to an increase in traffic on quiet lanes with no passing places which are widely used by walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Views from the network of Public Rights of Way which cross the site would be affected.

CPRE supports Higham-with-West Close Booth Parish Council and neighbouring Goldshaw Booth Parish Council in objecting to this application.

Pendle Sabden holiday cabins objection letter – click here to download

Sabden Fold Graham McConnell