The Edenfield Community Neighbourhood Forum (ECNF) was established in 2018 with one of its aims being to prepare a Neighbourhood Plan for Edenfield.
The Edenfield Neighbourhood Plan (2021–2036)
Introduction
Following years of dedicated work by the Edenfield Community Neighbourhood Forum (ECNF) and the residents of our village, we are pleased to confirm that the Edenfield Neighbourhood Plan was officially “made” (adopted) by Rossendale Borough Council on April 2, 2025.
This achievement followed a community referendum held on February 20, 2025, where the plan was overwhelmingly supported by the village, with 95.7% of voters choosing “Yes.”
What is a “Made” Neighbourhood Plan?
In planning law, when a plan is “made,” it moves from being a draft proposal to a statutory development document. It now sits alongside the Rossendale Local Plan as the primary benchmark for all planning decisions in our area.
This means:
- Legal Weight: Rossendale Borough Council and Planning Inspectors must make decisions in accordance with our Neighbourhood Plan policies unless there are exceptional reasons not to.
- Local Control: For the first time, Edenfield has its own specific set of rules regarding design, heritage, and local infrastructure that are legally enforceable.
- Developer Accountability: Any developer proposing work in Edenfield (including the H66 masterplan site) must demonstrate how their project aligns with the specific policies we have set out.
How it Affects Edenfield
The plan covers the period up to 2036 and focuses on nine key criteria to protect the character of our village. Key impacts include:
- Protecting Village Character: Implementation of a strict Design Code ensures that new buildings reflect the local stone-built heritage rather than “anywhere” suburban architecture.
- Infrastructure & Environment: Policies specifically address local flooding concerns, the protection of significant “non-designated” heritage assets, and the preservation of our existing green spaces.
- Traffic & Safety: The plan mandates better consideration for pedestrian safety and sustainable transport links within new developments.
- Community Voice: It ensures that the community’s vision for a balanced, sustainable village is the starting point for growth, rather than an afterthought.
View the Official Documents
You can view and download the full, adopted version of the Plan, including the detailed Design Code and Heritage assessments, on the Rossendale Borough Council website:
Link: View the Adopted Edenfield Neighbourhood Plan on the RBC Website