plans to change a disused Colne church into a dwelling were recommended for refusal when they went before councillors last night.
A report to members of Pendle Council’s Colne and District Committee from planning officer Alex Cameron said that while the proposed development at Cotton Tree Methodist Church was acceptable in terms of design, amenity and highway safety.
But the report also said that he applicant had failed to demonstrate that the risk of flooding would either be acceptable or could be acceptably mitigated.
Colne Water runs immediately to the rearof the site, and the report that if upstream flood defences were breached or overtopped, flood waters would flow through the property and return to the river.
The church has been closed for a number of years and the congregation now meets at Trawden Community Centre.