The Empty Homes Agency is an Head Office: Northern Office:

independent campaigning charity, which The Empty Homes Agency The Empty Homes Agency
exists to highlight the waste of empty 195-197 Victoria Street PO Box 3609
property in England and works with others London Barnsley
to devise and promote sustainable SW1E 5NE S75 1WW
solutions to bring empty property back Phone: 020 7828 6288 Phone/Fax: 01226 390 093
into use. Fax: 020 7828 7006 Mobile: 07719 798 033
Email: info@emptyhomes.com
Web: www.emptyhomes.com

Case Study 1
Whitefield Conservation Action Group

Location – Nelson, Lancashire -

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?
client=public&X=385000.926294641&Y=437500.322042275&width=700&h
eight=400&gride=385658.926294641&gridn=437681.322042275&srec=0&
coordsys=gb&db=freegaz&addr1=&addr2=&addr3=&pc=&advanced=&lo
cal=&localinfosel=&kw=&inmap=&table=&ovtype=&zm=0&scale=50000&
out.x=3&out.y=9

Contact – Sylvia Wilson, Secretary –

http://www.fightforourhomes.com/

Local Authority – Pendle Borough Council –

http://www.pendle.gov.uk/site/index.php

Market Renewal Pathfinder – Elevate East Lancs –

http://www.elevate-eastlancs.co.uk/

Background - Whitefield is a multi-mix of cultures, the majority

being of Asian extract. (66.9%, Indices of deprivation 2001) As a
Community, we live in comparable harmony. We compliment each
others culture, mores and manners, we honour each others religious
beliefs, and we all want the same things out of life, peace . . . and
the basic right to live, where, when and how we want.

Whitefield has 1,285 registered dwellings within the ward, and

approximately 4,203 residents. (2001 Census Report) and according
to English Heritage, ". . is the only remaining part of a late 19th
century Victorian mill town, which remains virtually intact and is of
National Importance . . . !"

In 2002 and 2003, we had two Public Inquiries to save our history,
heritage, homes, and our community against Pendle Borough
Council, and won!

In all of the above . . . this proves the solid integration and

community spirit that makes our community and ward unique and is
what the Pathfinder is supposed to be working towards.
 The Empty Homes Agency is an Head Office: Northern Office:
independent campaigning charity, which The Empty Homes Agency The Empty Homes Agency
exists to highlight the waste of empty 195-197 Victoria Street PO Box 3609
property in England and works with others London Barnsley
to devise and promote sustainable SW1E 5NE S75 1WW
solutions to bring empty property back Phone: 020 7828 6288 Phone/Fax: 01226 390 093
into use. Fax: 020 7828 7006 Mobile: 07719 798 033
Email: info@emptyhomes.com
Web: www.emptyhomes.com

The fact that Elevate, The Area Development Frameworks, (ADF)

and Pendle Borough Council have completely dismissed the
Secretary of State's Decision Letter,

Appendix 1 . . . (FSS Decision Letter to Pendle Council, (dated 18

September 2003—title—The Borough of Pendle (No 101 (Nelson West) C P O
2001) please check ODPM Archive?

The ODPM edict ". . . that the houses in Whitefield . . . are to be

retained and renovated . . . and . . . that the Order for demolition,
be not confirmed" says a lot for the perception of what the
Pathfinder stands for, namely: sustainable communities, viable
"internal" workings of a housing market, and the valuable history
and heritage of the area.

Elevate, is demanding that between 800-1,100 homes be

demolished in Pendle, and between 50-80 in Whitefield. We have
been told by Elevate that if there is no demolition in Whitefield, then
there will be no Pathfinder monies to improve it! They are not the
only ones to tell us that . . . it is strange that the ODPM Official we
spoke to insisted this was incorrect, that there were no demolition
quotas or enforcement for it?

We know differently and have witnesses to prove it!

If that means we as a mixed community will have to fight further to

prevent the proposed demolition of our homes and save our ward,
and everything within it including our residents from further decline
the best way we can, then we will, as we have done before!

Valuable lessons have not been learned from the "Whitefield

Experience"

Churchfields Preferred Scheme leaflet

 The Empty Homes Agency is an Head Office: Northern Office:
independent campaigning charity, which The Empty Homes Agency The Empty Homes Agency
exists to highlight the waste of empty 195-197 Victoria Street PO Box 3609
property in England and works with others London Barnsley
to devise and promote sustainable SW1E 5NE S75 1WW
solutions to bring empty property back Phone: 020 7828 6288 Phone/Fax: 01226 390 093
into use. Fax: 020 7828 7006 Mobile: 07719 798 033
Email: info@emptyhomes.com
Web: www.emptyhomes.com

Empty homes awaiting demolition in Nelson, Lancashire