A MAJOR ten-year plan to ‘bring back traditional life and vitality’ to the Victorian centre of Padiham has been amended to improve the quality of green space and wildlife.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is expected to make a final decision on a £1.4 million grant for the scheme by the end of this month.

This money, if approved, will be spent over next five years on key parts of the town centre, devastated by severe flooding on Boxing Day, 2015.

The results of a five-week consultation on a draft of the Padiham Conservation Area Management Plan have now been collated and amendments made.

The revised blueprint will be debated Burnley Council’s executive tonight and final approved version submitted to the HLF as part of the grant bid.

The item to be discussed by councillors says:” Overall the CAMP was positively received.

“The consensus of the respondents was that the document showed a good understanding of significance and a thorough analysis of the issues.

“Strong support was received for the issues identified and recommendations.

“Comments largely related to the need to strengthen the document in recognition of the significant opportunities that green/open spaces offer for increased amenity and wildlife value of the conservation area.

“Minor amendments have been made accordingly.

Kate Ingram, the council’s head of regeneration, said: “The plan will help protect Padiham’s past, and its future.

“It will provide a strong foundation upon which we can build the positive, future management of Padiham’s historic heart.”

The investment will initially concentrate on the town’s conservation area, known as ‘The Hill’, a compact area of mostly Victorian buildings.

Extra measures to enhance and protect green space are included around St Leonard’s Church, a strip from Shuttleworth Street and Starkie Street to the River Calder, areas near Guy Street and Church Street and land near the entrance to Memorial Park.It also includes proposals to protect traditional cobbled streets.

The programme aims to renew the town’s heritage and strong connections with Gawthorpe Hall by restoring buildings.

Grants will be offered to property owners covering a percentage of the costs of repairs to exteriors and restoration of historic features.

Around £250,000 will be spent on decluttering the streets, introducing traffic calming and public art.

Padiham conservation area was designated in 1975 with the boundary extended in1984 to include notable buildings on the periphery of the historic core.

It covers around 13 acres.