A PART of Pendle which boasts many listed buildings, a Victorian settlement, Georgian developments and an Area of Special Landscape, has been designated as a conservation zone by the council.

The Winewall and Cotton Tree conservation area spreads from Colne Water in the North to Lachman Road in the south and from Cotton Tree across to Bough Gap, and includes various parts designated as Green Belt.

Every house within the boundary, as well as local and other bodies, were sent a letter asking for comments on the proposal.

Seven replies were received, five of which were in support of the conservation area.

The two others also backed the proposal but suggested the area should extend further north and west to include Cotton Tree Lane, the Methodist church, Ball Grove, White House and Ferndean Way. This additional proposal may be considered at a later date.

Council officers said the low response to the consultation was likely to have been a general acceptance of the proposal which had been talked about for many years.

The designation of the Winewall and Cotton Tree Conservation Area is aimed at acknowledging and conserving an area of special architectural and historic interest.

Councillor Frank Clifford, a member of the executive, said: "As a council we need to be aware that when we declare a conservation district we have the responsibility to enrich and work within it to bring in the money required to set up such an area.

"All too often we have approved conservation areas but, when we look back over the years and see how much we have invested, it is precious little.

"One example is Lomeshaye Village. Nothing much has been put in by way of this council, yet a great deal of effort, time and money has been put in by the residents. We have to look at this as an opportunity to reinvigorate certain areas."

There are currently 17 conservation zones in the borough, including small hamlets at Lomeshaye, Newchurch and Spenbrook, wider landscape areas at Lidgett and Bents, town centre sectors in Albert Road in Colne and in Barnoldswick, Higham and Barrowford villages, the residential district of St Mary's in Nelson and the industrial part of Primet Bridge in Colne.

Conservation Areas give the council greater ability to attract external funding to control the demolition of buildings, protect trees and preserve the character and appearance of the locality.

In partnership with English Heritage and others, the council has undertaken seven conservation area grant schemes in the last six years, totalling around £1.5million of grant expenditure.