What next for borough's 93 'at risk' mills?

One of the drop-in sessions is being held at the regenerated Northlight Mill

Residents, businesses, culture and community groups are being invited to give their views on how "at risk" vacant historic textile mills can be redeveloped.

Locals are being encouraged to help a total of 93 mills in the east Lancashire borough of Pendle become community assets - without losing their special heritage value.

Pendle Council is staging drop-in events next week in Brierfield, home to the regenerated Northlight Mill, and Earby, where people can put their ideas forward.

Neil Watson, of Pendle Council, said textile mills were "once powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution" and an important part of the country’s heritage.

'Fundamental'

The Pendle project covers all the mills of Pendle and will focus on a number of in-depth case studies including in Brierfield, Colne, Nelson and Barnoldswick.

Neil Watson, an assistant director with a planning remit at Pendle Council, said: "Mills were once powerhouses of the Industrial Revolution and have shaped the landscape of the north.

"Textile mills are an important part of our country’s heritage and fundamental to understanding the history and culture of the communities they sit within."

"Hundreds of textile mills still exist in the north but many are vacant or underused and at risk of loss, threatening local identity.

"We want to hear what people think about our historic textile mills and how they could be reused."

Organisers said the project would contribute to delivering more housing and jobs using brownfield land whilst preserving the greenbelt, as well as protecting the heritage and identity of communities in Pendle.

Drop-in events are taking place on 10 July from 11:00 BST until 14:00, at the In-Situ studios, based at The Garage, Northlight Mill, Brierfield, and at New Road Community Centre in Earby.