Preparation of the Local Plan takes another step forward

Preparation of the Local Plan for Lancaster District has taken another step forward this month with the submission of proposals to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Recent progress has recently seen two major planning documents submitted to be examined by a government appointed inspector following several stages of public consultation.

One of the documents submitted is the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations Development Plan Document which plans for more than 12,000 new homes across the district and also includes details of where new housing and employment sites will be built to help create potentially 9,500 new jobs.  It also includes land allocations for the open spaces, shops and community facilities necessary to create places people want to live, work and do business.

Lancaster City Council has also submitted a review of its Development Management Development Plan Document.  The document updates the detailed policies that are used when assessing planning applications and help manage and shape development across the district.

Both documents have undergone several stages of public consultation and will now be examined by independent Government appointed inspector Richard McCoy over the next few months.  The Inspector will decide if these plans have been properly prepared. If they have been then they can be adopted, incorporating recommendations that the Inspector may make, by the Council and will replace the current Local Development Plan. It is anticipated that this will take place in 2019.

Coun Janice Hanson, Cabinet member with responsibility for Regeneration and Planning, said: “With a Local Plan in place, communities and developers can have greater certainty about where development will happen. Making decisions in advance about how much development is needed, and where that development should go, means that we will be in a much stronger position to influence where infrastructure, such as roads and schools, need to be provided, and to negotiate with developers for affordable housing and open space within developments.”

The two major documents and all accompanying documents are available to view at http://www.lancaster.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/submission-stage

Paper copies are available for inspection during normal opening hours at:

•       Morecambe Town Hall, Marine Road East, Morecambe, LA4 5AF
•       Lancaster Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ
•       Libraries in Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth, and Halton

Last updated: 25 May 2018