An East Lancashire Town Board established by the government is seeking to widen its boundaries.
In October, Burnley was announced as one of 55 towns across the country selected by the Government to benefit from the Long Term Plans for Towns scheme.
The town will benefit from funding and support of up to £20 million to develop a long-term plan for the town.
Now Independent Burnley Council leader Cllr Afrasiab Anwar has revealed the board is not happy with its Whitehall-drawn boundaries.
In a report to the authority's full meeting on Wednesday, he says: "I am pleased to report that the Burnley Town Board was established well within the government’s target of April 1.
"The inaugural meeting took place on March 15.
"The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has advised that there is scope to alter the geographic boundaries eligible for the funding 'where an amendment remains within the spirit of the programme and includes, as part of the revised area, the town that was originally selected."
The advice states if a 'town’s local station lies just outside of the boundaries provided, or essential green spaces may have been excluded, due to the emphasis on ‘built up’ areas' boundaries can be changed.
It does clarify that 'alterations to the boundary should not bring in additional, separate population centres (i.e. different towns) and must remain contiguous'.
Cllr Anwar added: "Any such representations were to be made to DHLUC by the end of March 2024.
"The Town Board have requested that DHLUC consider amending the eligible geographical boundary so that Towneley Park, Thompson Park, Bank Hall Park, Brun Valley Forest Park, key Active Travel routes and some stretches of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal are included.
"Members will be aware that Padiham, Cliviger, and Worsthorne were not included within the areas for which funding can be provided.
"As Padiham, Cliviger, Worsthorne and Hapton are separate Built Up Areas the Government has made it clear that they could not be included in the proposed alterations by the Town Board.
"The pre-plan consultation is open until April 19 and members of the public are invited to submit their views.
"Consultants have been appointed to work with the board and themed sub-groups to produce the long-term vision and three year investment plan."
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