Yahoo News Huge Northlight development hailed as the way forward in transforming Lancashire's historic mills
The huge Northlight mill regeneration project at Brierfield, near Nelson, developed in a joint venture between Pendle Council and developers Barnfield, has been named Lancashire's best commercial property development of the year at a regional awards ceremony.
The joint venture called PEARL Brierfield Mill Ltd has won the Commercial Development of the Year award at the first-ever Lancashire Property Awards in Blackpool, organised by the Insider property magazine. The scheme has turned a former mill, previously called Brierfield Mill, into a mixed site of offices, apartments, family leisure and education facilities.
Pendle Council has a range of joint ventures with different partners including commercial house builders and social housing providers. Sites include commercial, industrial and retail buildings, land and outdoor town spaces. Current activities include Colne Market Hall 's redevelopment and Nelson town centre including Pendle Rise shopping centre.
READ MORE: The Lancashire doctor whose gruesome double-murder pioneered the use of forensics
READ MORE: Simple 16p plastic bag hack that defrosts frozen car windscreen in seconds
At the Lancashire Property Awards, Barnfield was praised for its commitment to the property sector and in fostering partnerships including its work with Pendle Council, organisers said.
Northlight stood out for its outstanding achievement in a challenging area. Judges described it as the culmination of a joined-up joint venture with multiple stakeholders. It showed the scale of what can be achieved through pioneering partnerships, they said.
Coun Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Council, said: “We’re delighted that Northlight has been recognised. To win with Barnfield Investment Properties in the Commercial Development of the Year is amazing. Together we’ve transformed a former cotton mill and created new homes, education, employment and cultural facilities in an iconic Grade II listed building.”
Northlight has supported a range of businesses, created hundreds of jobs, secured much-needed housing and regenerated a dilapidated site, award organisers said.
Tim Webber, chairman of the Barnfield Group, said: “Northlight is a beacon for Pendle and a shining example of how a public-private sector partnership can deliver. We are very proud to have won this award. Our collaboration with Pendle Council has been instrumental in achieving this success. We are committed to continuing to deliver exceptional developments that contribute to the growth and vitality of our region."
Rose Rouse, Pendle Council's chief executive, said: “Our public-private partnerships are a big part of how we deliver in Pendle. And for us to be recognised in these awards with our joint venture partner, Barnfield, is wonderful.”
Joint venture advice
Seperately in the summer, auditors recommended Pendle councillors to improve some aspects of governance including for some joint ventures. Grant Thornton produced an interim report with recommendations including for different PEARL joint venture companies in schemes for 2021/22 and 2022/23. Councillors generally accepted the recommendations and said governance was improving.
Grant Thornton made four key recommendations on ‘significant weaknesses’ based over the two years. One was about budgets and financial sustainability. The others were about clarity around decision-making, roles and responsibilities. These covered the council’s planning system and committee roles, its executive and leader system, and various PEARL joint venture companies.
Northlight is next to the single-track Colne branch railway and Brierfield station. Earlier this year at Northlight's completion ceremony, Tim Webber voiced frustration to the media with railway decision-making in Britain and what he saw as ‘red tape' hampering improvements to Brierfield station and the Colne line.
Separately, the Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) group, which is supported by various councils and businesses, is campaigning to reconnect Colne with Skipton and to enhance the whole Colne line. It says Pendle, Hyndburn and Burnley's economies suffer because of poor rail links.
