A new Local Plan Hub for Lancaster District

The recent Climate Emergency Review of the Local Plan was a partial review of the Local Plan (details below); it did not re-visit how much development was needed in the district and where that development should take place. The adopted plan (2020) identifies land for development including a number of strategic sites and a broad location for growth in south Lancaster. In the summer of 2023 Lancashire County Council, supported by Lancaster City Council, decided to suspend work on the “South Lancaster Growth Catalyst”.  This project had intended to enable development to the south of Lancaster, including a new settlement, the Bailrigg Garden Village, by providing new infrastructure, particularly new road and transport infrastructure. The infrastructure was to be supported by a significant grant award from the government.

Following the decision to suspend that work Lancaster City Council also stopped preparing the Lancaster South Area Action Plan. That document was going to provide the detail on where development would be in south Lancaster, the council instead resolved to prepare a whole new Local Plan.  Work on the whole-new plan is on-going.

The new Local Plan will re-explore how much development is needed, where and how that development should be achieved.

The world does not stand still.  We have published our new digital hub for the full review of the Lancaster District Local Plan. We hope that our new digital approach and the information will help everyone to understand the local plan process.   We have asked for feedback, if you do find something is not clearly explained tell us and we will try to explain it better. The Local Plan Hub will be kept up to date as the new local plan is prepared. 

Please take a look at our Local Plan Hub to be kept informed>>>>>>>>

Call for sites - 2nd round

As part of the preparation of the Local Plan we would like to know if there are potential sites or broad locations for development that should be investigated.  The ‘Call for Sites’ process is an excellent opportunity for landowners, developers, and individuals to suggest areas for potential future development. You can submit sites for any type of future use including housing, employment and retail. This is the 2nd round of the ‘Call for Sites process’. 

Sites submitted through the ‘Call for Sites’ process will be considered via the Council’s Strategic Housing & Employment Land Availability Assessment (SHELAA).  This will consider whether any sites nominated via the ‘Call for Sites’ process is suitable, available and achievable.  In investigating land for its development potential, the Council may contact you to clarify details or request further information.

Please note that even if the Council identify land in the SHELAA as having potential for future development, this does not indicate or confirm that the Council will formally allocate the site for development in the forthcoming Local Plan.

The Council have now gone through all the sites which were submitted as part of the first round of the ‘Call for Sites’ process, which closed on 30 September 2024, to assess the accuracy of the data provided.

As promised, the Council have now published a map which highlights where sites have been submitted to the process. Please note that the map provided is for information purposes only, it does not contain any assessment or conclusions on the suitability of any sites submitted.

There is no need to submit a site to us again if you have already done so unless you would like to update us on any significant changes. 

Submitting a site

You can submit a site by completing our online 'Call for Sites' online form.

Current Local Plan position

Adopted Local Plan

Lancaster City Council adopted its current Local Plan in July 2020 (Strategic Policies & Land Allocations DPD and Development Management DPD).  

Climate Emergency Review of the Lancaster District Local Plan,

On 2^nd December 2024, the City Council received the report on the Examination of the Climate Emergency Review of the Local Plan conducted by government-appointed Inspector Joanna Gilbert MA (Hons) MTP MRTPI.  The Inspector has concluded that the reviewed planning documents provide an appropriate basis for the planning of the district, subject to compliance with her binding recommendations. With these modifications the documents can now be adopted. A decision on adoption will be made by Council at a date and time to be confirmed. The Inspector’s Report can be viewed on the Climate Emergency Local Plan Review Examination webpage.

Background

Lancaster City Council adopted its current Local Plan on 29 July 2020.  At the same time as adopting the plan the City Council also resolved to undertake an immediate partial review of the plan to explore the opportunity to achieve better outcomes from built development for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience, by revisiting the newly adopted policies. On 31 March 2022, following around 18 months of preparation, the council submitted the Reviewed Local Plan to the Secretary of State and the necessary independent Examination process began. The reviewed plan has a focus on how new development can be made better for nature while also making sure that homes and residents are better protected from flooding, have lower water bills, lower fuel bills, and better access to sustainable travel. New developments also need to have a focus on improving the environment. One of the policies in the plan requires new build homes to be net zero (or have a 100% reduction in carbon emissions) following a fabric first approach. This means homes will be more insulated making them warm and comfortable while using less energy. For homes with solar generation, they may also be carbon-positive – meaning they will produce more energy than they use.

We want to keep you informed, so please do check this page regularly and or join our mailing list.