Miles Parkinson
WELL, I hardly know where to begin this article, so much has happened since my last Viewpoint appeared here in the Observer before the elections.
In the last two years we’ve had the referendum, local elections, county elections and the General Election and most people are feeling voter burnout as a result. There’s also lots of uncertainty about if and when another election may be called.
Despite all the uncertainty nationally, I want to let you know that here in Hyndburn we plan to pull together and get on with the business of getting the best for the Borough, working hard for a prosperous future for Hyndburn. We remain committed to improving Hyndburn, protecting front-line services wherever we can and delivering improved value for money throughout all Council services.
Of course there are difficult decisions to be made in times of ever diminishing grants from Central Government but work continues to regenerate the Borough. The Core Strategy seeks to deliver the number and type of housing needed in Hyndburn, but we now need to understand where that housing will be developed.
The Council is now starting work on its site allocations plan and through consultation with landowners, local residents and elected members; land will be identified for future housing development.
Hyndburn’s proximity to the M65 “growth corridor” and opportunities provided by key strategic sites put the Borough in a really good position for generating economic and housing growth. We plan to deliver on our major development sites at Whitebirk, Altham and Huncoat boosting the economy and employment opportunities, as well as supporting housing growth.
Work is underway on the major Whitebirk employment site next to Junction 6 of the M65, where up to 2,000 jobs will be created. Outline planning consent is in place for a mixed development including industrial, commercial and leisure uses.
Further good news before the General Election was the Government’s decision to award Huncoat Housing Zone status together with capacity funding. Work will start soon on putting a masterplan in place for a mixed development incorporating housing, recreation and commercial uses. Huncoat offers a great opportunity to provide high quality housing capable of supporting higher value jobs currently present in the local economy, as well as those that will be created in the coming years.
And finally, we’re all still reeling from the dreadful news of the Manchester and two London terror attacks and the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower. I, along with the whole of Hyndburn was so shocked and deeply saddened by these horrific events, which have left families and friends mourning loved ones and countless more lives blighted. It seems inconceivable that when I joined a thousand other local people of all faiths and backgrounds in St James’s church yard in Accrington to pay tribute to the victims of Manchester, shortly after even more terrible loss of life would occur in our capital. It’s absolutely devastating and I know all our hearts go out to all the victims and their families, our thoughts and prayers remain with them all and everyone touched by these terrible events.