PLANS to preserve the historic heart of Padiham are being thrown open for public debate over the next month.

Experts say the market town has retained its pre-industrial age street patterns, leading from St Leonard’s Church.

And the evidence of non-conformism, in the Unitarian, Wesleyan and Baptist church buildings, and diverse political traditions, from the Co-operative halls to the Constitutional Club and Liberal Club, are also said to set the town centre conservation area apart.

Now a management plan for Padiham’s core, along Church Street and Burnley Road, is being placed under the microscope as part of a 10-year preservation scheme.

Kate Ingram, Burnley Council’s head of regeneration and planning policy, said: “The plan will help protect Padiham’s past and its future.

“We want to hear the views of anyone with an interest in the town and I’d encourage them to take part in the consultation.”

It comes as Padiham is also the focus of a proposed Townscape Heritage Initiative bid.

An initial £48,200 is being used by council planners to secure £1.5million to safeguard and restore the same principal routes through the town.

Cllr John Harbour, deputy council leader, who also represents the area, said: “Padiham has a lovely market town feel with some stunning architecture.”

In the original 1975 conservation area designation, a report reads: 'Padiham town centre retains a strong vernacular character, due in a large measure to its pre-industrial form.

'The tower of St Leonard’s Church forms a centrepiece for the area and dominates many street scenes within it.

'However, with a few exceptions it is not individual buildings but their massing which gives scale and identity to the streets'.

Town hall officials have arranged for a drop-in session, at St Leonard’s for next Tuesday between 2pm and 7pm.

People attending will not only be able to inspect the full management plan but will also be able to ask questions and make suggestions to assist in the formulation of its final version.

The management plan and an online survey will also be accessible online throughout the consultation period until April 28 at www.burnley.gov.uk and hard copies will be available to view.