Save Hammond Ground

02/10/2026

SAVE HAMMOND GROUND – CAMPAIGN UPDATE

It’s been a little while since our last update, so we thought it was time to bring everyone up to date with what has been happening behind the scenes.

The last few months have been a mixture of frustration, hard work and, more recently, renewed optimism.

On 17 August 2026, the Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) came into effect. For those who don’t follow planning closely, the NPPF sets out the national planning policies that councils and planning committees have to take into account when deciding planning applications. The government wants to build more houses, and the framework gives more opportunity for developers, particularly in Boroughs like our own where they cannot show a 5-year housing supply.

The new framework changed the planning context in which the Hammond Ground application will be considered, and we were understandably a little despondent when it came into effect.
However, our mood improved significantly following two reports commissioned by Ribble Valley Borough Council (RVBC) — one on landscape and one on heritage. Importantly, the findings of both reports support the specialist reports that we had previously commissioned ourselves and are consistent with the findings of the 2018 planning appeal.

The latest reports also appear to have had an effect on the applicants’ position. They subsequently submitted an updated planning addendum in response to the additional evidence.
We then submitted two further documents of our own, covering ecology and landscape. These were intended to set out our position and provide a balanced factual assessment alongside the applicant’s material. All these reports can be found on the RVBC planning site, link below: https://webportal.ribblevalley.gov.uk/planningApplication/38441

Behind the scenes, we are continuing to prepare our own final planning report with specialist consultants, bringing together the evidence and key arguments relating to Hammond Ground. We will publish this once we are certain that the planning committee date has been confirmed and will use this and other material to update councillors who sit on the planning committee.

So, although there has been relatively little public activity from the campaign recently, there has been a considerable amount happening behind the scenes.

There is still a long way to go, and no outcome can be taken for granted. But we now have important additional evidence to consider, and we remain focused on making sure the case for Hammond Ground is properly represented.

You may also have heard that a planning application is imminent on Mary’s Field adjacent to Straits Lane. A number of residents have voiced concern, but as yet no-one has decided to formalise a response. If anyone is interested in coordinating a group to help protect this green space, please let us know as we would be happy to provide advice.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

SAVE HAMMOND GROUND
Protecting a very special part of Read for future generations.

24/09/2026

Lovely September morning on Hammond Ground …..a new flock of sheep arrived to spend the winter grazing here (hopefully)

14/09/2026

23/08/2026

Another important development for Hammond Ground!

Simonstone Parish Council has now formally agreed to object to the proposed development at Hammond Ground.

At its meeting on Monday, councillors voted unanimously against the application.

This is another clear indication of the strength of local concern about the proposal and its impact on the village, countryside and surrounding area.

Thank you to Simonstone Parish Council and its councillors for taking the time to consider the application carefully.

The campaign to protect Hammond Ground continues.....

18/08/2026

New life on Hammond Ground 🐄….hoping it stays this way for years to come. 🐄🤞

-farmland

16/08/2026

REMINDER!!!!!

WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT SIMONSTONE PARISH COUNCIL ARE NOW CONSIDERING A RESPONSE TO SAVE HAMMOND GROUND

SIMONSTONE PARISH COUNCIL

Extraordinary Parish Council Meeting
Date: Monday 17 August 2026
Time: 6:00 pm
Venue: Read & Simonstone Village Hall, East View, Read, BB12 7PS
Members of the public are welcome to attend.

AGENDA

1. Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies from councillors unable to attend.
2. Declarations of Interest

Councillors are asked to declare any:
Disclosable pecuniary interests
Registrable interests
Non-registrable interests
in relation to any item on this agenda.
3. Public Participation

A 15-minute public participation session.
Maximum 5 minutes per person, per item.
Members of the public may raise questions or comment on agenda items.
Questions may be answered after the meeting or placed on the agenda for a future Parish Council meeting.

Items for Decision / Discussion

4. Planning Matters Outside the Parish Boundary

Discussion of the principles for considering planning applications outside Simonstone Parish.
5. Hammond Ground Planning Proposal

Discussion and response to the Hammond Ground planning application.

Meeting Close

20/07/2026

An Important Update for Simonstone Residents

Following our earlier update, a number of Simonstone residents have contacted us to say they have written to Simonstone Parish Council asking why no formal objection has been submitted to the Hammond Ground planning application.

Several have told us they have been informed that, because Simonstone Parish Council was not a statutory consultee, it was under no obligation to respond.

Whilst that is technically correct, it is only part of the picture.
The fact that a parish council is not formally consulted does not prevent it from submitting comments or an objection to a planning application. Any individual, organisation or parish council is entitled to make representations if it believes a proposal will affect its community.

Indeed, Simonstone Parish Council itself did exactly that during the 2016 Hammond Ground application, when it submitted a detailed and comprehensive objection despite not being a statutory consultee. The views of neighbouring parish councils can carry significant weight where developments have impacts beyond parish boundaries.

Recognising this, on 26 June I wrote to the Chairman of Simonstone Parish Council asking whether the Council would once again consider submitting an objection. In my letter I said:
"Although I understand that your Parish Council isn't one of the statutory consultees on this application, I know a significant number of your own residents feel strongly about the proposal and the impact it could have on the wider area... While not formally consulted, the views of neighbouring parish councils can still carry weight, particularly where developments have wider implications beyond parish boundaries."

Unfortunately, Simonstone Parish Council has decided not to submit a formal objection.

We understand that councillors held differing views and appreciate that some councillors have submitted objections in a personal capacity. However, many residents are understandably disappointed that the Council itself has chosen not to speak with one voice on what is one of the most significant planning applications affecting our area.

If you are a Simonstone resident and believe your Parish Council should have objected, or still should do so, please contact your parish councillors. Ask them, politely and respectfully, why the Council chose not to submit an objection and whether they would be prepared to reconsider before Ribble Valley Borough Council determines the application.

It is not too late for Simonstone Parish Council to make its views known.

Thank you once again to everyone who continues to support the Save Hammond Ground campaign. Your voice really does matter.

17/07/2026

A Huge Thank You From Save Hammond Ground

On behalf of the Save Hammond Ground Steering Group, we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign.

The response from our community has been nothing short of incredible. So far, over 350 objections have been submitted, up from the already impressive 186 last time around, and we still expect that number to increase further. Every objection demonstrates just how much Hammond Ground means to local people.

A special thank you must go to our outstanding Steering Group and to Cllrs Peplow, McCrum, Hansen, and all on Read Parish Council for their support, encouragement and hard work throughout this campaign. We are also extremely grateful to everyone who has donated, delivered leaflets, displayed posters, shared social media posts, attended meetings and taken the time to submit thoughtful objections. This has truly been a community effort.

There are still important stages to come. The Lancashire Flood Authority has issued a negative response, meaning the developer will need to resubmit this element of its proposal. In addition, our independent planning, heritage and landscape specialists are due to report this month, and their assessments will help ensure that all of the key issues are fully understood before any decision is made.

We have, however, been disappointed to learn that Simonstone Parish Council has decided not to submit a formal objection to the application. We understand there were differing views amongst councillors and that, despite the fact that some councillors submitted objections in their own right, the Parish Council was unable to reach a position of formally objecting.

Many Simonstone residents have contacted us to express their concerns about the proposed development. If you live in Simonstone and would like to understand why your Parish Council did not submit an objection on behalf of the community, we would encourage you to contact your parish councillors and politely ask them to explain the Council's decision. Open and respectful dialogue between residents and their elected representatives is an important part of the democratic process, but it is not too late for this parish council to object, so make your feelings heard.

Please be patient. The planning process is thorough, and it may still some weeks or even months before a decision is reached. We will continue to keep everyone informed as matters progress.

Thank you once again for standing together to protect Hammond Ground. Whatever the outcome, our community has already shown what can be achieved when local people come together with a shared purpose.

14/07/2026

All of these birds were picked up on the Merlin Bird App Saturday morning on Hammond Ground.

We need your help to prevent the building of houses on Hammond Ground please object to Ribble Valley Planning reference 3/2026/0356

Campaign - https://gofund.me/848cad365
The campaign is entirely volunteer-led, but specialist planning, landscape and heritage advice is required and certainly needed if the application goes to appeal.

Every donation helps protect Hammond Ground and the future character of Read. Please use the GO-FUND-ME LINK above