Tributes have been paid to Brian Holden, a Ribble Valley Longridge councillor and a civil engineer, following his recent death.
He championed Longridge and, in addition, his engineering expertise would have helped the borough handle the huge Haweswater Aqueduct water tunnel plan by United Utilities for the Forest of Bowland, it has been said.
The latest full meeting of Ribble Valley Council began with a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to Coun Holden, who had been a Conservative representative for the Dilworth ward.
His death was described by local Conservatives as sudden.
The late Coun Holden had roles on the borough’s planning and development, health and housing and parish liaison committees. A civil engineer by profession, he was employed on the HS2 high speed rail project.
Speaking at the latest full Ribble Valley Council meeting, Conservative Coun Stephen Atkinson, the council leader, said: “Brian Holden was a man of integrity and a great strategic thinker. He was committed to the town of Longridge and to public office as a councillor.
“He was also a civil engineer and his expertise will be sadly missed at our planning committee, which is due to be looking at the Haweswater Aqueduct replacement project.”
In Longridge, Brian Holden’s legacy would include investment and improvements such as work at the Mardale sports site, the pavilion and extension, for which planning permission has been improved, and for pitch improvements, Coun Atkinson said.
He added: “These will provide a lasting legacy for which Jill and Brian’s family can be proud of.
“May peace be with Brian’s family and may Brian rest in peace. Brian, thank you for your contribution.”
Ribble Valley Lib-Dem opposition group leader Coun Stewart Fletcher said: “I echo these comments. I support the council leader’s remarks about Brian and we all send our condolences to his family.”
Ribble Valley Conservative Association has also paid tribute to Brian Holden, highlighting his four years as a councillor and its sadness at his sudden death. In a statement, the association said: “It is with great sadness that Ribble Valley Conservatives have to pass on the news of the sudden and tragic death of Councillor Brian Holden who died at his home, on Thursday, March 2.”
It said Brian Holden grew up in the Chaigley Road area and then lived on Higher Road. He attended local schools, represented the town in sport, education and local politics, it said.
In the past, Brian Holden’s father, William Holden, had been a Conservative Ribble Valley councillor too. They were active together in the 2019 local council election in support of Brian’s election campaign.
The Haweswater Aqueduct scheme mentioned by Coun Atkinson is a proposed United Utilities water tunnel replacement scheme from the Lake District through Lancashire to Manchester.
The Ribble Valley section of tunnels are planned to go through the officially-designated Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which has similar status to a national park.
The planning committee meeting was rescheduled for this week, Thursday, March 16, because of recent bad weather.
Planning reports on the agenda currently include the Haweswater Aqueduct scheme.
Also there are ‘Section 106’ cash contributions to Longridge Sports Club, stemming from a planning agreement to build 195 home north of Dilworth Lane in Longridge. Developers agreed to contribute almost £133,000 towards grass pitch improvements at Mardale, cricket wicket provision at Longridge Cricket Club, sports hall improvements at Longridge Sports Club and play facility improvements in the town.
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