A PLANNING condition surrounding a controversial footpath in Nelson will be relaxed.

But a textile firm has been told to get on quickly with creating the route or face action by Pendle Council. The future of the well-used route between Every Street and Kensington Street, Nelson, has been in doubt ever since bosses at nearby William Reed Weaving blocked it and sparked arguments over whether it had ever been a public right of way.

In April, Nelson councillors agreed retrospective planning permission for gates and fencing round a new car park at the factory provided a new footpath was formed.

Permission was granted subject to a number of conditions. including one that it should have gates at either end.

The firm wrote back to the council saying it was willing to create the path but objected to the conditions.

It threatened to go to a planning appeal if the condition was not dropped. Now councillors have agreed to the firm's request but said it must start work on the path within 30 days or face enforcement action.

Angry resident Sylvia Wilson told councillors at a meeting of the authority's Nelson area committee: "The firm is reaching for delays to halt the work yet again."

Coun Azhar Ali added: "If the only obstacle is the gates we should relax the condition but there should be no more excuses or delays.

"This sends a clear signal once and for all that we will not tolerate any more lame excuses."

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