A dilapidated Nelson Heritage asset is set for partial demolition and turned into a car park, after a planning application was submitted earlier this month.
Pendle Council partner - PenBrook - has submitted an application to the Council with plans to demolish around 80% of the building and replace it with an EV car park. REF: (26/0101/FUL)
The front part of the building would be retained and restored, and converted into a office/commercial premises, and an external lift would be installed for accessibility needs.
The application is open to comments both for and against the proposal until March 9, 2026.
COMMENT HERE
https://www.pendle.gov.uk/info/20070/planning_applications/250/view_and_comment_on_a_planning_application
Trafalgar House - a brief history:
Trafalgar House was originally built as Nelson’s Technical School in 1894 and, in later years, was extended and used by Nelson & Colne College and Lancashire County Council. It has been disused for many years and has fallen into significant disrepair. It was acquired by Pendle Borough Council (PBC) in 2021 using Accelerate Town Funds. Since then, the building has been closed off from access due to it being unsafe to enter. The building is no longer weather tight and a result the condition of the building is deteriorating.
PROPOSALS
The proposal submitted by PenBrook, proposes the demolish the rear part of the building along with two historic staircases, and tarmac it so people (and Councillors) can drive their car closer to town and the town hall.
Somehow the proposal suggests this is part of a green and sustainable transport policy, without going into too much detail about how exactly.
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| Demolish everything in the box, replace with another(!) car park |
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| Submitted plans for the car park |
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| Side view |
Developers have proposed the use of modern contemporary aluminium cladding on the side and rear of the building, clashing styles of new and old. In fact it looks similar, if not exactly, the same material used for the newly refurbished Colne Market.
Let's have a closer look:
The planning documents detail a comprehensive review of the site, its condition and potential future uses.
A survey showed that respondents:
- 79% wanted to retain the building in whole or part
- 44% wanted it be developed into housing
- 21% wanted a car park with EV charging
- 18% wanted an open space
The planning application set out a number of options considered with pros and cons for each but ultimately they chose the car park option:
Option 1 - Repair Only
This option would include the repair of the external envelope, strip out and clean internally. The shell would then be marketed for reuse by others.
The disadvantage to this option is that there is a lack of a clear future plan, the property could remain vacant and vulnerable to deteriorate again. It would also be uncertain that this would be sufficient enough to stimulate a viable use.
Option 1B - Convert to Residential
This option aligns with above, the existing envelope is retained and restored with internal and minor external modifications to create apartments or town houses. The disadvantage of this, is affordability is being challenging due to the high costs of refurbishment.
Residential reuse would have a higher degree of harm due to the internal alterations needed (partitions, staircases, services) but still represents one of the optimum uses for the site. Residential use would also introduce a domestic character on the north side, which is at odds with its original function.
Option 1C - Convert/Extend for Commercial Use
Existing Envelope restored with Minor Internal Modifications & Infill extensions added to increase usable area. The disadvantage of this is the long term viability is uncertain.
This is a highly sustainable option and would also benefit the character and appearance of the conservation area. Extensions on the Booth Street side would provide additional space and further enhance Trafalgar House on this (less significant) elevation. A public use such as commercial/retail brings relevance back to the site and allows internal plan form to be retained.
Option 2A - Flexible Open Space / Mini Park
Market Street block retained and restored. Rear of the site cleared and made available as a public space for community use.
The disadvantage of this is the amenity value is restricted to good weather conditions. Retention of the Market Street block would mitigate total loss and retain a degree of street presence within the conservation area. The reuse of the space as an open (possibly green) space for public use has merit over a car park. However, group value with surrounding civic buildings would be irreparably harmed and the tight urban grain in this area would be lost. Without a clear design intent or maintenance regime, such spaces are liable to end up as ‘brownfield’ in time, further harming the character and appearance of the conservation area.
Option 2B - Covered Open Space
Market Street block retained and restored. Rear of the site cleared and made available as a public space for community use.
The disadvantage of this is the use is suited to a more central location in Nelson Town Centre.
Retention of the market street block would mitigate total loss but demolition of the remainder would still constitute major harm. While there is lower significance to the rear of the site, this would still require loss of the two historic staircases and internal plan form/fabric. A semi-covered open space would provide a beneficial public use, but to the detriment of a solid, historic structure that could also be re-purposed. If demolition is chosen, it could be considered as a short-term solution prior to construction of a new building on the historic footprint of Trafalgar House.
Option 2C Flexible Box
Market Street bock retained and restored. Lightweight enclosure added.
The disadvantage of this option is that nearby vacant community / cultural spaces suggest use may not be viable.
Option 2D Car Parking
Market Street block retained and restored. Rear of the site cleared and redeveloped as a car park. The disadvantage to this is that it is detrimental to townscape and sustainable travel objectives.
The full demolition of Trafalgar House would constitute total loss of significance and trigger the ‘substantial harm’ test set out within planning policy. Retention of the Market Street block would mitigate this to a degree by retaining a fragment of the building and some of its historic urban form within the conservation area, but ultimately, understanding of this site as a civic and community facility will be lost. Creation of surface parking in the town centre is also at odds with sustainable travel and would impact on the group value of surrounding heritage assets.
Option 3A - Partial Demolition Residential Use
Middle and/or rear portions of building removed and cleared for new-build residential development. The disadvantage of this is that it would be the loss of the historic urban form.
Partial demolition would result in the loss of heritage significance, historic fabric and plan form the non- designated heritage asset of Trafalgar House. However, by bookending demolition, with retention on Market Street and to the west (Carr Road), the historic urban form is partly retained and those areas with most external architectural interest are preserved. While impact on Trafalgar House is harmful, the impact on surrounding designated assets to negligible. Residential use would reduce relevance of the site as a civic building, but would ensure a long-term future use.
Option 3B EV Charging
Market Street block retained and restored. Rear of site redeveloped as a fast-charging station for electric vehicles. The disadvantage to this is it may not be compatible with adjacent uses. These would need to be considered.
The full demolition of Trafalgar House would constitute total loss of significance and trigger the ‘substantial harm’ test set out within planning policy. Retention of the Market Street block would mitigate this to a degree by retaining a fragment of the building and some of its historic urban form within the conservation area, but ultimately, understanding of this site as a civic and community facility will be lost. Although promoting wider use of electric vehicles would support a sustainable travel plan there would still be an impact on the group value of surrounding heritage assets.
COMMENT HERE
https://www.pendle.gov.uk/info/20070/planning_applications/250/view_and_comment_on_a_planning_application
REF: (26/0101/FUL)
REASONS TO OBJECT
Trafalgar House – Material Planning Objections (Application 26/0101/FUL)
1. Heritage and Design
- Partial demolition and car park construction will destroy the historic integrity of Trafalgar House, a Non-Designated Heritage Asset.
- Lanpro Heritage Report confirms that even façade retention alone would result in significant loss of historic fabric, internal plan form, and civic character.
- The proposed aluminum cladding on the historic front is inappropriate, undermines the historic character, and is out of keeping with the Whitefield Conservation Area.
- The rear car park structures are out of scale and context with the historic frontage, harming the character of the conservation area.
- The development fails to deliver a sympathetic or high-quality reuse of the heritage asset, contrary to national and local planning guidance.
- Partial demolition with modern additions does not respect the building’s original scale, style, or internal spatial character, eroding its civic contribution.
2. Sustainability and Transport
- Creating a car park encourages increased car use, directly conflicting with national and local sustainable transport policies.
- The scheme fails to prioritise walking, cycling, or public transport, undermining Pendle Borough Council’s climate and transport objectives.
- Car park provision in the town centre may be premature given low current footfall and untested impact of PRSC redevelopment, risking underuse and wasted public funds.
3. Financial and Operational Viability
- The scheme relies on uncertain occupancy or pre-let agreements; without tenants, the Council could inherit an unoccupied, costly building.
- Historical reports repeatedly show that leisure or commercial uses have proven financially unviable, leaving a risk of long-term subsidy from PBC.
4. Environmental / Public Amenity
- Demolition and car park construction will permanently remove potential green/open space opportunities and limit future flexible town centre uses.
- The construction and operation of the car park introduce noise, light, and vehicle emissions into the town centre, harming local amenity.
- Temporary car park use could conflict with future sustainable development plans, including EV charging, pedestrianisation, and active town centre strategies.
5. Policy and Planning Conflict
- Proposal conflicts with Local Development Plan and national planning policy encouraging heritage conservation, sustainable transport, and active town centre uses.
- Aluminum cladding and partial demolition could compromise planning permission, as identified by heritage consultants, making the scheme inconsistent with good conservation practice.
- The development fails to provide a long-term, policy-compliant solution for Trafalgar House, prioritising short-term operational convenience (car parking) over heritage-led regeneration.
COMMENT HERE
https://www.pendle.gov.uk/info/20070/planning_applications/250/view_and_comment_on_a_planning_application
REF: (26/0101/FUL)