Council approves compulsory route to acquire Pendle Rise Shopping Centre

Pendle Council has agreed to issue a compulsory purchase order to buy Pendle Rise Shopping Centre.

It follows failed attempts by the local authority to agree the purchase of the centre from the current owner, Nelson-registered Future Properties Ltd.

Under council ownership the site, which forms a central part of the transformation of Nelson town centre, could be redeveloped with new shopping facilities, car parking and improved public spaces to support the regeneration of the town.

Cllr Nadeem Ahmed, leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “We’ve been trying to buy the shopping centre through negotiations with the current owner for a while, but so far this has not proved possible.

“Pressing ahead with a compulsory purchase order is necessary so that we can own and redevelop the site.

“This will take some time because our proposal will need to go to the Secretary of State for approval and any interested party can make a representation ahead of a decision being made.”

If the compulsory purchase order is approved, the council will work with its joint venture development partner, Brookhouse Group, to regenerate the site.

Cllr Ahmed added: “The redevelopment of Pendle Rise Shopping Centre delivers a key commitment of the Nelson Masterplan and meets the objectives of Nelson Town Deal funding.

“Plans for the site are currently being developed, drawing on the expertise of Brookhouse. They will also be shaped by ongoing discussions with local and national retailers.”

He said: “Our vision is to create a revitalised town centre with a strong retail offer, food and drink options and a pleasant area to eat outside to encourage social interaction.

“There will be an opportunity for people to have their say on the proposals in the near future.”

The council was awarded £25m through the Nelson Town Deal, of which £9.2m has been earmarked for the Revitalised Nelson project which aims to bring vacant and underused town centre buildings back into use.

The cost of buying Pendle Rise will be met from this fund.

Future Properties had two independent valuations of the site, one of which, in early 2020, valued the centre at £6m.