AN historic part of Pendle is set to be protected for future generations.

Councillors will vote tomorrow on whether to make Trawden Forest, as well as Trawden, Winewall and Wycoller a conservation area.

They are expected to approve the move after widespread support from a consultation of 1,000 residents and conservation and heritage groups.

Conservation status designates an area of "special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance".

It allows councils control over the demolition of buildings and to set policies to preserve or protect the character of an area. Pendle Council's conservation project officer Rosemary Lyons said: "The area has a rich archaeological legacy which is represented from the prehistoric period through to the Industrial Revolution."

She said that the Royal Forest of Trawden, apart from being part of the lands retained by Edward the Confessor, was also important in that it was the site of five medieval pastures.

Rosemary said: "Signifi-cantly, large sections of the earthworks relating to these still exist.

"There is also a rich legacy of fine 17th century farm buildings, together with many extensive early field boundaries made up of stone slabs."

The 18th and 19th centuries brought indus-trialisation, firstly in handloom weaving, then in the mills which grew up along the Trawden Brook valley.

But Rosemary said the pastures have remained largely in their original state, particularly in the Wycoller valley due to the remoteness of the area and the very poor quality of the land.

She said: "The Forest of Trawden is a unique survivor of this period."

And she added: "The fact there has been no negative feedback is encouraging and indicates that there is a very high level of support for the conservation area among residents."

Friends of Pendle Heritage Archaeological Group has carried out an assessment of the area looking at its history and development from pre-historic times to the Anglo Saxons and the 19th century.

Researchers found mills could be lost through redevelopment and historic details such as windows and doors were being replaced with "inappropriate" modern types.