The Rossendale Rambler

One of the Ramblers' Association's charitable objectives is set out in the Constitution as "the preservation and enhancement, for the benefit of the public, of the beauty of the countryside". The Group Countryside Officer has the responsibility for promoting this Ramblers objective at a local level, by opposing proposals for destructive developments in the countryside, by defending the Green Belt from urban incursions, be they residential or industrial developments, and by, very occasionally, supporting proposals which genuinely enhance our local countryside. In general, these ends can be achieved by either responding to individual planning objections as they arise, or by making representations to the District and County Development Plan Inquiries.

Next year will mark the beginning of the re-drafting of the Rossendale District Plan, so members of the Rossendale Ramblers will be hearing more from me on this subject at a later date. However, for the moment, I would point out that, when plans are afoot for destroying yet another piece of our local countryside, it is the walkers on the moors who will see the first signs of this planned, impending destruction. So, If you see a building being erected outside the urban boundary, do not assume that it has the necessary planning permission or that I am already aware of its existence. I do monitor planning applications submitted to the local authority, but I will be relying on people like you to tell me about it in case it is an unauthorised development so that I can take steps to, hopefully, stop it. And if you see rigs taking test bores on the moors or notices advising the public of a planning application or, in fact, anything at all suspicious, please give me a ring on 01706 877521.
Jean Johnson.

Back to The Rossendale Rambler Contents Page

Back to The Rossendale Ramblers Home Page