There are a number of other documents which have already been adopted by Council and supplement the Strategic Policies & Land Allocations DPD and reviewed Development Management DPD. These include the Arnside & Silverdale AONB DPD, Morecambe Area Action Plan DPD and the neighbourhood plans for Wennington and Wray-with-Botton.  More details are found below:

The Policies Map show the individual sites and broader areas that are allocated for development or designated for protection by the policies of the adopted Lancaster District Local Plan. Both a pdf version (with insets as pdfs also) of the Policies Map and an interactive digital version of the Policies Map are available below.  

Lancaster City Council adopted its Lancaster District Local Plan for 2011-2031 on 30 July 2020. The Council partially reviewed the plan (updated only some of the policies) to make sure that its planning policies took greater account of the challenges of climate change when making decisions on planning proposals. The updated plan – known as the "Lancaster District Local Plan (Climate Emergency Local Plan Review)" was adopted by the Council on 22 January 2025. The updated policies in the CELPR needed only a small number of changes to be made to the Policies Map from July 2020. These changes have been made on the Policies Map (however, please see below for a full explanation of how mapping is displayed) and it is now dated 22 January 2025.  The changes on the map relate to these updated policies only:

• Policy SC4 - Green and Blue Corridors
• Policy T2 – Cycling Network
• Policy DM33 – High Risk Urban Catchments (water management)

When preparing the partial review the Council explored making changes to the area identified on the Policies Map as being suitable for Wind Energy proposals (Policy DM53) but it did not proceed with making any changes.

The pdfs include all the changes made in January 2025 but when viewing the Interactive Policies Map please note this interactive map shows all 3 Adopted Policies maps comprising of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Policies Map (Adopted March 2019), district-wide Adopted Policies Map (Adopted July 2020) and the latest Climate Emergency Local Plan Review Policies Map (Adopted January 2025).  The policies of the Central Morecambe Area Action Plan DPD are also included in the policies map. 

Neighbourhood Plans, prepared by local communities, also have their own Policies Map, you may need to look at these also.  

Policies Map (pdf)

•  Policies Map_District Wide (pdf) (adopted 22 Janaury 2025)
  • Policies Map_Insert 1_Main Urban Areas (pdf) (adopted 22 Janaury 2025)
  • Policies Map_Insert 2, 3, 4 & 5 (Lancaster City Centre, Carnforth, Morecambe Town Centre and Junction 33) (pdf) (adopted 22 Janaury 2025)
  • Policies Map_Rural Villages (not yet updated following adoption of CELPR, view the 2025 interactivemap for changes)
    Policies Map_Sustainable Settlements (not yet updated following adoption of CELPR, view the 2025 interactivemap for changes)
• AONB Policies map (pdf) (adopted March 2019)
  • Inset map book (pdf) (adopted March 2019) 

• Interactive Policies Map (comprising of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Policies Map (Adopted March 2019), district-wide Adopted Policies Map (Adopted July 2020) and the latest Climate Emergency Local Plan Review Policies Map (Adopted January 2025).  The policies of the Central Morecambe Area Action Plan DPD are also included in the policies map).

We monitor the effectiveness of our Development Plan Documents (Local Plan). We do this to make sure our policies achieve the targets set out.

Supplementary Planning Documents (click here to view)

The Council has prepared a suite of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) to support and further explain the council’s aims for some of the planning policies in the adopted Lancaster District Local Plan. SPDs do not create new policy but do provide detail on policy interpretation which can help potential applicants preparing to submit planning proposals.  SPDs are prepared in accordance with national regulations. The regulations require the council to involve people in shaping SPDs including through public consultation. The weight given to an SPD in making planning decisions. More details below

Shopfront and Advertisements SPD (adopted September 2025)

This document supplements policy guidance provided in the Development Management DPD in relation to shopfronts and advertisements. The purpose of the SPD is to provide design guidance on the installation of new shopfronts and advertisements within the district particularly in sensitive locations (for example within conservation areas).

Meeting Housing Need SPD (adopted January 2025)

This document does not propose new policies, it explains how the policies in the Lancaster District Local Plan will be interpreted and provides guidance on the detail and criteria within policies. Not all policies are addressed in this SPD, as some aspects are self-explanatory and need no further guidance. The SPD must be read in conjunction with the specific housing policies and the relevant policies within the Lancaster District Local Plan as a whole. The SPD provides general guidance but is no substitute for site specific advice which can be obtained through the Councils pre-application advice procedure

Viability Protocol SPD (adopted March 2022)

Policies in the Lancaster District Local Plan require the provision of affordable housing and contributions to support infrastructure such as schools and open or recreational spaces. In some cases, developers seek to reduce the provision of affordable housing and contributions because they mean that development is not viable. The SPD sets out overarching principles for how the council will approach development viability, it provides guidance on the details that we will expect to be included in viability assessments and the councils approach to considering viability matters. 

Canal Quarter Supplementary Planning Document (adopted November 2021)

The document presents a vision for the area, supported by a set of design and development principles, to guide future investment over the next 15-20 years. 

Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD  (adopted December 2020)

This document provides guidance about how policy DM13 of the Development Management Development Plan Documents will be implemented and standards for the houses in multiple occupation.

Employment and Skills SPD (adopted August 2018)

This document supplements policy guidance provided in the Development Management DPD in relation to the application of Employment and Skills Plans within major new development. The purpose of Employment and Skills Plans is to encourage and support greater opportunities for training and upskilling of local people within the construction phases of new development.

Planning Advisory Notes & Practice Notes (click here to view)

The Council has prepared a suite of Planning Advisory Notes (PANs) which provide guidance on a range of planning topics. PANs provide guidance on procedure or design advice rather than policy interpretation, which is the role of Supplementary Planning Documents. PANs provide advice to potential applicants about the type of information needed to support planning applications, or provide explanation of the Council’s approach to assessing issues. PANs are not prepared in accordance with national legislation and are generally not subject to public consultation. They are not formal parts of the council’s Lancaster District Local Plan. They do not have “planning weight” in decision making. Applicants are advised to use the helpful guidance in PANs to help shape and inform their proposals but the PANs are not used to make decisions on planning applications.  More details below

PAN 01 - Waste Storage and Collection Guidance for Domestic and Commercial Developments Planning Advice Note

The direction of this advisory note is based on the policies contained within the review of the Development Management DPD, adopted 29 July 2020, (Policy DM29)  It will be a material consideration that developers should be conscious of that that will be generated from their development proposal and this note provides advice, guidance and information on how these issues can be appropriately addressed and management in both domestic and commercial development.

PAN02 - Encouraging the Growing of Food Within New Development Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance on how new residential development can maximise the opportunities for the growing of food, making use of not just the areas around the property but through innovative design.

PAN03 - Surface Water Drainage and Flood Risk Management and Watercourses Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance on the local application of both the sequential and exception tests in relation to flood risk and supplements national planning policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

PAN04 - Open Space Provision in New Residential Development Planning Advisory Note

This PAN provides information and guidance on the expectations for open space from new residential development, this includes the provision of calculations for on-site areas of open space and off-site financial contributions. The PAN acts as an update to Appendix D of the Development Management Development Plan Document (DPD), to take account of the latest open space evidence base underpinning the emerging Lancaster District Local Plan.

Please note: a further update note on calculations for on-site and off-site requirements for Public Open Space has been published, this update is based on the Council’s latest evidence on this issue – the Lancaster Open Space Study published in March 2025.

PAN05 - Provision of Electric Charging Points for Vehicles in New Development Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance to potential applicants and developers for the provision of electric charging points in domestic and commercial development. (Note: this guidance will be updated through the preparation of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), more details to follow.

PAN07 - Self-build and Custom-build Housing Planning Advice Note

This advisory note has been updated to reflect the changes to policies following the adoption of the Lancaster District Local Plan, which includes the SPLADPD and the DMDPD. It provides detail and further clarification on the self-build and custom housebuilding process, how the Council will support the delivery of plots and sources of further information and advice.

PAN08 - Cycling and Walking Planning Advice Note

The Cycling and Walking Planning Advice Note supports and provides guidance on policy T2 of the Strategic Policies & Land Allocation Development Plan Document and sets out how future development at strategic sites should support and develop the existing network. The approach taken in identifying routes follows that advocated by the National Planning Policy Framework. The Planning Advice Note has been subject to public and stakeholder consultation.

PAN09 - Energy Efficiency in New Development Planning Advice Note 

Lancaster City Council declared a climate change emergency in January 2019 and set a target date of 2030 to make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon. The Council intends to lead by example in seeking to reduce carbon emissions in the District. The Council’s activities only contribute approximately 0.4% of the districts carbon emissions. It is therefore important that developers, residents and businesses also play their part.  This note provides guidance on how measures to reduce carbon emissions can be incorporated into new and existing homes and businesses. It also provides guidance on completing the Energy Statement required to be submitted with major development and how smaller developments can show how they aim to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

PAN10 - Housing Standards Planning Advice Note

The Council has adopted the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS) and the optional Building Regulation Requirement M4(2): Category 2 - Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings, through policy DM2 of the Development Management Development Plan Document (DMDPD). It is therefore important developers, agents and applicants ensure new dwellings are designed to meet the standard prior to submission of an application. The Council has produced a Housing Standards Planning Advice Note which sets out how the standards will be applied.

PAN11 - Low Emissions and Air Quality Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance on how new development is expected to mitigate impacts to air quality in designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). Its sets out guidance on the range of mitigation measures available. (Note: this guidance will be updated through the preparation of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) during the course of 2020)

PAN12 - Householder Design Guide Planning Advice Note

This note provides general information and guidance on the design of new residential development and can be applicable to all scales of development proposed, from small extensions to new build properties.

PAN13 - Good Lighting Planning Advice Note

The Good Lighting Planning Advice Note provides guidance to applicants proposing development within the Arnside and Silverdale AONB on issues and considerations relating to light pollution. The document, prepared as a Technical Advice Note, was developed by Dark Source Lighting Design Studio and Friends of the Lake District and is intended to support well designed proposals that minimise the effect of light on the night sky in Cumbria and within the whole of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB. Its inclusion of the AONB reflects the approach taken in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Development Plan Document (DPD) which was jointly prepared and adopted by Lancaster City Council and South Lakeland District Council in 2019. The purpose of the DPD is to ensure consistency in the decision making process across the two authorities. Lancaster City Council has published the Technical Advice Note as a Planning Advice Note. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take account of the advice when designing proposals that might illuminate the external environment.

PAN14 - Traditional Sash Windows Planning Advice Note

The Traditional Sash Windows Planning Advice Note explains when consent is required for window replacement and what styles of windows may be appropriate to conservation areas and listed buildings.

Biodiversity Net Gain Advice 

The Biodiversity Net Gain Advice explains what you need to know about BNG to help you complete a planning application.

PN01 - Affordable Housing Practice Note

The adopted Meeting Housing Need Supplementary Planning Document (9 Febraury 2022) supersedes the PN01 - Affordable Housing Practice Note and has now been removed from this page.

PN02 - Preparation of Comprehensive Masterplans for Strategic Residential Sites Procedural Practice Note

This Procedural Practice Note (PPN) provides guidance on the preparation of comprehensive masterplans for strategic residential-led development sites as identified in the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD and for a number of smaller sites.

PN03 – Arnside and Silverdale AONB Small Housing Sites

The purpose of this Practice Note is to provide guidance and clarification to landowners and developers on the Council’s planning policy position in relation to small housing proposals within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Our Homes Strategy sets out how we can support those in housing need over the next five years.  View the Housing Strategy webpages.

Lancaster City Council recognises the need for affordable housing in the district and it is therefore a key council priority. The provision of more affordable homes can help to increase the range of housing options, help to meet increasing demand as a result of recent welfare scheme changes and help the council to meet its required housing responsibilities.

Policies DM3 and DM6 of the Lancaster District Local Plan and Policy AS03 of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB DPD set out the requirements for the delivery of affordable homes within housing schemes. Policy DM3 refers to two categories of affordable homes, intermediate housing and social/affordable rented housing. The policy requires up to 50% of affordable homes to be delivered as intermediate housing and a minimum of 50% as either affordable or social rented housing. The Government has introduced a new form of intermediate housing – ‘First Homes’ and expects at least 25% of affordable homes delivered on developer led site to be delivered as this tenure.

The tenure split required will therefore be:

• 25% intermediate tenure, preferably shared ownership;
• 25% first homes;
• 50% affordable rent or social rent.

Click here for more details on Developing Afordable Housing

Planning Policy

Policy DM13 of the adopted Lancaster District Local Plan Development Management DPD, seeks to restrict the concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to a maximum of 10% in any 100m radius. The policy will manage the concentration of all new HMOs, including new build HMOs, the conversion of non-residential properties to HMOs and the change of use of dwellings (Class C3) to HMOs.  To help applicants and agent understand how the policy will be implemented Lancaster City Council has adopted a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This document explains how the policy will be implemented, the calculation used to determine the number of HMOs and includes standards for new HMOs 

HMO Density Map by Post Code

The Council has produced a data base of HMOs using Student Council Tax Exemptions and Licensing information which will be used to calculate the density of HMOs. As much of the data is derived from Council Tax data, for data protection reasons, individual HMOs will not be identified on the website. To help agents and applicants assess the density in an area, a map showing the density by post code is available. While this will not show the density for a particular 100m radius it will provide a guide to the density in particular areas.  The HMO Density Map by Postcode can viewed here. .  If you intend to submit a planning application and wish to know the percentage of HMOs in the 100m radius around a specific property,  please use the Pre-Application Service.. 

Licensing

A licence is required for HMOs where both of the following apply:

• At least five tenants live there, forming more than one household
• Toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities are shared with other tenant

Further information can be found here.  A licence is a separate regime to planning permission. Both planning permission and a licence is required for properties which meet the above criteria. Planning permission is required for HMOs with 3 or more tenants.

Article 4 to Control Small HMOs

The Article 4 Direction came into force on 10^th November 2021. Planning permission is now required to change the use of a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a small HMO (Class C4) (3-6 occupants). Larger HMOs and the conversion of other buildings to HMOs already require planning permission.     

If you would like advice on whether you are likely to receive planning permission please use use our pre-application service. 

Control of ‘To Let’ Signs

The Secretary of State has approved Lancaster City Councils proposal for a Regulation 7: Direction Restricting Deemed Consent to control the display of ‘To Let’ Signs in Lancaster.  The controls will come into force on 1 September 2021. This means that from 1 September 2021, ‘To Let’ signs cannot be displayed on residential properties in the wards of Bulk, Castle, John O’Gaunt, Marsh, Scotforth East and Scotforth West.