Local Plan Consulatation 2015

Developing a Local Plan forDeveloping Public consultation: Monday 19 October 2015 Public consultation: to 30 November 19 Monday

Lancaster District 2011–2031

our district’sour future? How plan we should for People, Homes & Jobs Homes People, People, Homes and Jobs – How can we meet our future development needs?

To support the needs of a growing and changing community The overall strategy to meet these needs and provide opportunities for economic growth, Lancaster City Council must prepare a local plan. A lot of development is to continue with an urban-focussed activity is already happening locally. However, there is a approach to development that is great potential to create more jobs and successful businesses through continued growth at , investment supplemented with additional new large in the energy sector and opportunities created by completion strategic development sites that can be of the to M6 link road. developed for housing and employment. The latest evidence on the potential for new jobs and the housing needed to provide for a growing community suggests In 2014, the council consulted on five options for new a need to plan for around 9,500 jobs and 13,000-14,000 new strategic development sites. Following the consideration of homes for the years up to 2031. these options the council is proposing a hybrid approach with The evidence also suggests that the economic sustainability a number of additional strategic sites as the district’s needs of this area could become vulnerable due to falling numbers cannot be met by one single option. This approach has been in the working age population as older workers retire and they developed based on your views from the consultation last are not being replaced by enough new workers. In particular, summer and a range of other evidence. we are losing young skilled workers from the area and they are Development at these additional strategic locations will not being replaced by workers migrating into the district. supplement the many other sites identified in the urban areas Our ability to deliver the forecasted jobs growth will be of Lancaster, , Heysham and Carnforth. undermined if the right skills aren’t available to support it. This will be a key issue at a future examination of the local plan. The council must make sure that opportunities for jobs and housing are provided by preparing a local plan. The plan must identify land and sites for the development of housing, employment, shopping, education, open spaces, heritage and nature conservation. Sites that could provide for up to around 7,000-8,000 new homes, many on brownfield land, have already been identified, so this means that additional land for between 5,000 and 6,000 new homes must be found. Although much of the land needed to provide for new jobs is already known, further employment sites still need to be found. Potential housing sites are shown in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) September 2015 www.lancaster.gov.uk/shlaa. 3 Local Plan Consulatation 2015 .

Do you agree or disagree with the or disagree overallDo you agree proposed strategy? with the or disagree Do you agree options for the sites?additional development any additional advantagesDo you have or disadvantages to add to the potential sites? ideas any suggestions forDo you have alternative sites? the any comments on Belt Green proposed Do you have Methodology?Review • • • • • Visit the website:www.lancaster.gov.uk/planningpolicy Email us: [email protected] Write to us: Planning and Regeneration Lancaster City Council Hall Dalton Square Town Lancaster LA1 1PJ This consultation October to 30 will run 19 Monday from views will help to inform Your the final 2015. November the in Draft which will be consultedproposal on in 2016 Land Allocations document. Further information: further receive To updates, please sign up to thepolicy consultation planning list at . www.lancaster.gov.uk/localplanconsultation detailedA more document on the revised approach, proposed spatial strategy and strategic can be found objectives, at www.lancaster.gov.uk/planningpolicy

Dolphinholme North of Lancaster North East of Morecambe South of Carnforth Slyne-with-Hest Additional development in South development Additional Lancaster North East Lancaster east of the M6 motorway North East Lancaster west of M6 motorway

• • • • • • • • Village Expansion identified sitesDevelopment are in most of the district’s is identified one village only however villages as being suitable of development: level for a greater Green Belt Review Belt Review Green Four different suggested, are areas development all four locations could contribute to achieving needs, development belt towhilst maintain a smaller green keeping the separation of the coastal settlements: development options development alternative suggested:Three are We would like your views like on the would strategy, approach proposed We and suggested sites development including: Extension Urban Have your say! say! your Have People, Homes and Jobs How should we plan for our district’s future?

To support the needs of a growing and changing community and future economic growth, Lancaster City Council must prepare a local plan. The plan must identify land and sites for the development of housing, employment, shopping, education, open spaces, heritage and nature conservation. To do this, the council needs to create a Land Allocations Last year the council held a consultation to look at five document to help to make sure that the right development in-principle options for new strategic development sites. takes place, at the right locations and timed to meet These included an urban extension to Lancaster, a review of local needs, whilst also respecting the natural and built the green belt between Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth, environment which make the area unique. and growing the size of two or three villages. The Land Allocations document will form part of the local The council is now proposing that the district’s needs cannot plan, along with the adopted Development Management be met by one single option and is exploring a hybrid document, which has the planning policies used to determine approach, choosing parts of three of the strategic options planning applications, the Morecambe Area Action Plan, the from last year. This approach has been developed based on Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding National Beauty your views on the 2014 consultation and a range of other (AONB) Development Plan and the Gypsy, Traveller and evidence. Travelling Show People Accommodation document. Development achieved at these new strategic development The local plan must be informed by properly prepared sites is in addition to the many other sites already identified evidence. Evidence consists of facts about the district, in the SHLAA in the main urban areas of Lancaster, research and studies about the district’s needs, and Morecambe and Heysham and Carnforth, and in the district’s assessments of sites that could be developed. villages. The council has recently received new evidence from its Consultation will also be taking place to inform the Arnside consultants, Turley Associates, which recommends that and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Plan (this the council needs to plan for around 9,500 more jobs and is part of the Local Plan for Lancaster District and part of the 13,000-14,000 new homes in the 20 years from 2011 to 2031. Local Plan for South Lakeland District). 5 Local Plan Consulatation 2015 North East Lancaster east of the M6 Motorway. This be on land on thewould east side of Junction 34. Around homes could be built here. 1,500 North East Lancaster west of M6 Motorway. be This would Farm,on land at Cuckoo to the west of the M6 Motorway, between the and Lansil Golf Course. Ridge 1,500 Around homes could be built here. • • County Council is preparingLancashire a Highways and Transport Masterplan that describes to approaches managing thebusinesses. homes and of more challenge

A range of sites potentially coming through a review of the North Belt Green Lancashire The expansion of the of Dolphinholme village A large urban extensionA large to Lancaster

South Lancaster, including the identified land already South Lancaster, 3,000 new be built Around homes could at Whinney Carr. in thenext fifteen years on a very site, including large Whinney Carr and land to the west of the A6 (opposite Lancaster be would The development University). phased and there be safeguarded would land identified for further in the development Highway future. for being developed are the Hala junction improvements that a start allow would to be made for development Furtherat Whinney Carr. affect would development Junction 33 of the to the M6; be moved junction may Hazelrigg Lane and/or a new bypass for Bypass a Galgate might need to work Much be built. be needed more would to design and get for funding these works.

• This was one of the options explored in the local plan in one a lot of development Having consultationof 2014. theplace helps make best use of infrastructure and public transport options for This consultation residents. suggests three alternative locations in which this could be achieved. 1. Urban Extension Extension Urban 1. The Hybrid OptionThe 3. 2. 1. 1. The Hybrid parts: has three Option 2. Green Belt Review 3. Village Expansion Currently there are only limited exceptions that would allow Following the consultation last year, an assessment of the for development to happen in the North Lancashire green most sustainable rural settlements has taken place. This belt, which had its boundaries drawn in 1991. Nearly 25 years suggests that further investigation should be carried out later, the district’s population has increased and projections at Dolphinholme. suggest that this will continue. In addition the Heysham to The assessment took environmental restrictions and the M6 link road which goes through the green belt will soon accessibility of services into account and can be viewed at be in place, and the impacts of this need to be considered. www.lancaster.gov.uk/planningpolicy. The green belt can only be reviewed as part of the local plan process, therefore if we do not do this now, it will be at least Development sites are identified in most of the district’s another 15 years until it can be reviewed again. Not reviewing villages, however, only Dolphinholme is identified here as the green belt would limit potential housing and employment being a suitable location for a greater level of development. development plans, which would impact on the economic It is suggested that potentially 500 new dwellings could be future of the district built. Much discussion needs to take place with the parish council, residents, community representatives and land The idea of reviewing the green belt was included in owners. last year’s consultation, and although this proved to be an unpopular option, the need for future housing How should an expanded village look? Would it be better and employment sites means that the council has no to take a traditional approach to design and architecture, alternative but to review green belt boundaries. A review as has been done in Poundbury in Dorset and Knockroon could allow for well-located large sites on the edges of in East Ayrshire? Alternatively, should it be designed using Lancaster, Morecambe, Carnforth and Slyne-with-Hest to the principles of a zero carbon eco-town with rainwater come forward whilst maintaining the larger part of the harvesting, natural landscaping, and community allotments green belt for its original purpose. In total, these sites as is currently being done at North West Bicester in could provide more than 3,000 new homes by 2031. Oxfordshire? A review hasn’t yet taken place and the maps on pages 11-14 only show potential development sites. If these are found to be suitable sites they will be shown in the Draft Land Allocations document which will be consulted on in 2016. We are consulting on the way that we will do this review (Green Belt Review Methodology) and would like your views on this www.lancaster.gov.uk/planningpolicy. 7 Local Plan Consulatation 2015 Job projections (LancasterJob projections District Land Review). Employment and household Population (Housing Requirement projections Report). Strategic land (Revised Available Housing Land Availability Assessment). infrastructureFuture (Heysham to and Lancaster M6 link road District Highways and Transport Masterplan). • • • • Where are the jobs the are Where and people going from? come to interlinked, Jobs and housing are planning for this will encourage businesses to invest in the There area. opportunities employment are within the district which will continue to expand, examples include the Innovation Park at and . housing availabilityMore will help to bring prices making it more down affordable for young people to stay in the rather area for than away move jobs will help tohousing and more retain young people in the in particular area, the many graduates to who come here straightlearn but leave at present. away evidence? new What is the

Central government come in would a plan for theand prepare council. Developers be able to would apply for planning permission to build in theanywhere district. Businesses wouldn’t be attracted to the and therefore area additional jobs wouldn’t be created. to continue Housing would be unaffordable resulting for many, not enough houses and from prices.increased not meetThe council would its statutory responsibilities. The district is far main urban from and needs a healthyareas local economy to stay sustainable. This district’s industries, particularly universities and the sector, energy hospitals need qualified staff. or attracting keeping Not new workers could undermine here the local economy and lead to more commuting. • • • • • • There are a number of risks a number are There if the growth future plan for council doesn’t and development and identify land for including: protection Why bother? Why Urban Extension (UE) UE1 – South Lancaster

The first Urban Extension option includes Whinney Carr farm. It could provide a site for more than 3,000 dwellings and new employment land by 2031 and for further development in the years after that (shown as safeguarded land). It would require the relocation of Junction 33 to access the A6 from Hazelrigg Lane. This site plan is illustrative. Consideration would need to be given to the feedback from this consultation and discussion with land owners.

Advantages Disadvantages • A large site for growth close to opportunities at • Development would mean the loss of Lancaster University, the Innovation Park and residential green field and agricultural land. development proposals at Whinney Carr and Bailrigg. • Reduces the gap between Lancaster and Galgate and • Urban extensions were the most preferred removes the green corridor on the entrance to Lancaster. option in the 2014 consultation. • Investment in infrastructure needed to • Well connected to existing urban areas and communities, support the development of this site. with opportunities to use existing utilities and services. • Could impact on local landscape and wildlife. • Well connected to existing public transport • Limited capacity on the existing road network, and road networks with opportunities especially on the A6 in the south of Lancaster. for infrastructure improvements. • May lead to further deterioration within the • Closeness to existing urban area makes walking and Galgate Air Quality Management Area. cycling practical alternatives to motorised transport. • Relies on a new M6 junction to create road • Close to employment opportunities at Lancaster capacity and this is not a committed scheme. University and the Innovation Park. • This site will not meet rural housing needs. • Potential new junction on the M6 motorway, could relieve congestion, improve road capacity and aid city centre transport improvements. • Reduce the need for large scale development in the more isolated rural areas of the district. • Opportunity to build well sited affordable housing. 9 Local Plan Consulatation 2015 Development would mean the would Development loss of fieldgreen and agricultural land. Investment in infrastructure needed to support the of this development site, particularly different modes of transport. of a satelliteCreation settlement with limited access to the existing urban area. Limited opportunity to meet rural housing needs. on local landscape and wildlife. Could impact Limited on the capacity existing network road and few opportunities new to provision. provide • • • • • • Disadvantages Urban extensions theUrban were most preferred consultation. option in the 2014 Close to the existing and urban area possible access to existing services. opportunitiesClose to employment in the and along Catoncity centre Road. the in scale development Reduce need for large the isolated rural more of the areas district. Opportunity to build affordable housing. the of settlements. amalgamation Avoid • • • • • • UE2 – East Lancaster on land to the east of the M6 motorway east of the the on land to UE2 – East Lancaster The second urban extension option is for a large site to the east of Junction 34. This could provide a site for 1,500 dwellings dwellings 1,500 for a site This could provide east of Junction 34. the to site a large The second urban extension is for option this from feedback the to be given need to Consideration would plan is illustrative. land. This site employment and new land owners. consultation and discussion with Advantages UE3 – East Lancaster Land to the west of the M6 motorway

The third urban extension option is for a large site on land based on Cuckoo Farm, between the Ridge, the M6 and Lansil Golf Course. This could provide a site for 1,500 dwellings and new employment land. This site plan is illustrative. Consideration would need to be given feedback from this consultation and discussion with land owners.

Advantages Disadvantages • Urban extensions were the most preferred • Development would mean the loss of option in the 2014 consultation. green field and agricultural land. • Well connected to existing urban areas and communities, • The area is currently identified as Key Urban with opportunities to use existing utilities and services. Landscape in the adopted Local Plan. This designation recognises an area’s role in providing the setting • Well connected to existing public transport for the city and in several instances the setting and road networks with opportunities for a number of significant heritage assets. for infrastructure improvements. • Investment in infrastructure needed to • Closeness to existing urban area makes walking and support the development of this site. cycling practical alternatives to motorised transport. • Limited capacity on the existing road network and • Development would be within the existing urban area of few opportunities to provide new provision. Lancaster with the M6 link forming a boundary to the city. • Area is difficult to access and would • Opportunity to build well sited affordable housing. require significant investment. • Avoid the amalgamation of settlements. • Potential to impact on local landscape and wildlife. • Proximity to employment opportunities in • Limited opportunity to meet rural housing needs. the city centre and along Caton Road. • Reduce the need for large scale development in the more isolated rural areas of the district. Local Plan Consulatation 2015 11 Development would mean the would Development loss of some belt and agriculturalgreen land. A review of the belt is needed, the findings green could be that the current boundaries should be maintained. theCould reduce between gap towns and withinvillages the belt. green Investment in infrastructure needed to support new development. on local landscape and wildlife. Could impact Offers limited opportunity to meet rural housing needs. belt option wasThe green not supported by the district’s consultation. in the residents 2014 • • • • • • • Disadvantages Well connected to existingWell and communities, urban areas potential to connect to utilities and existing services. connected to existingWell public transport and transportroad networks with opportunities infrastructure.for improved Closeness to existing walking makes and urban area cycling practical alternatives to motorised transport. opportunitiesClose to employment in the Heysham. and Morecambe Lancaster, The Heysham the will change M6 link road character of this a new and provide area potential northern boundary for Lancaster. of new sites attractiveCreation with employment good access to national transport networkHeysham and Port. the in scale development Reduce need for large the isolated rural more of the areas district. Opportunity to build affordable housing. • • • • • • • • Green Belt Review Green GB1 – North Belt Green Lancaster Advantages Land between Hare Runs, Halton Road and the Heysham to M6 link could provide a site for more than 850 new homes and new homes and new 850 new than more for a site link could provide M6 to Heysham and the Road Halton Runs, Hare Land between consultation and discussion with this belt review, green The outcomes of the plan is illustrative. This site sites. employment place. take need to would land owners GB2 East of Morecambe Green Belt

Land to the east of Torrisholme Barrow and west of the Morecambe to Lancaster Railway line could provide a site for 750 new homes and employment. This site plan is illustrative. Consideration would need to be given to the outcomes of the green belt review, the outcomes from this consultation and discussion with land owners.

Advantages Disadvantages • Well connected to existing urban areas and communities, • Development would mean the loss of some potential to connect to utilities and existing services. green belt and agricultural land. • Well connected to existing public transport • A review of the green belt is needed, the findings could provision and main road networks with be that the current boundaries should be maintained. opportunities for improved infrastructure. • Reduces the gap between towns and • Closeness to existing urban area allows makes walking and villages within the green belt. cycling practical alternatives to motorised transport. • Investment in infrastructure needed • Close to employment opportunities to support new development. within Morecambe and Heysham. • Could to impact on local landscape and wildlife. • Railway line could be used to provide • Offers limited opportunity to meet rural housing needs. a new green belt boundary. • The green belt option was not supported by the • Creation of new attractive employment sites with good district’s residents in the 2014 consultation. access to national transport network and Heysham Port. • Reduce the need for large scale development in the more isolated rural areas of the district. • Opportunity to build affordable housing. Local Plan Consulatation 2015 13 Development would mean the would Development loss of some belt and agriculturalgreen land. A review of the belt is needed, the findings green could be that the current boundaries should be maintained. the betweenReduces gap towns and withinvillages the belt. green Investment in infrastructure needed to support new development. on local landscape and wildlife. Could impact adversely affectMay the Carnforth Air Area. Quality Management Highway capacity investigation needed; a new link road between to the be required likely Back A6 and Lane. belt option wasThe green not supported by the district’s consultation. in the residents 2014 • • • • • • • • Disadvantages Well connected to existingWell and communities, urban areas potential to connect to utilities and existing services. connected to existingWell public transport networks and main road provision with opportunities infrastructure. for improved Closeness to existing walking allows makes and urban area cycling practical alternatives to motorised transport. opportunitiesClose to employment in Carnforth and South Cumbria. Could help to bring forward the stalled site development at Lundsfield Quarry access. improved by providing the in scale development Reduce need for large the isolated rural more of the areas district. opportunityProvide to new development spread to the north of the district so that the benefits betterare dispersed the across district. Opportunity to build affordable housing. • • • • • • • • GB3 – South CarnforthGB3 – South Belt Green Advantages A large extension to south Carnforth could provide for more than 1,250 new homes and employment land. This site plan plan land. This site homes and employment new 1,250 Carnforth than south more extension to for A large could provide this from outcomes the belt review, green outcomes of the the to be given need to Consideration would is illustrative. land owners. consultation and discussion with GB4 – Central area of Green Belt (Slyne with Hest) Green Belt

Land west of the A6 (Slyne Road) at Hest Bank, opposite Slyne Hall Heights, could provide a site for potentially 500 homes. This site plan is illustrative. Consideration would need to be given to the outcomes of the green belt review, feedback from this consultation and discussion with land owners.

Advantages Disadvantages • Well connected to existing community, potential • Development would mean the loss of some to connect to utilities and existing services. green belt and agricultural land. • Well connected to existing public transport • A review of the green belt is needed, the findings could provision and main road networks with be that the current boundaries should be maintained. opportunities for improved infrastructure. • Reduces the gap between towns and • Closeness to existing settlement allows makes walking and villages within the green belt. cycling practical alternatives to motorised transport. • Investment in infrastructure needed • Close to employment opportunities in to support new development. Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth. • Could impact on local landscape and wildlife. • Reduce the need for large scale development in • May negatively impact on the character and heritage the more isolated rural areas of the district. of Slyne-with-Hest and Bolton-le-Sands villages. • Provide opportunity to spread new development to • Substantial investment and upgrade of current service and the north of the district ensuring so that the benefits infrastructure provision is needed to support development. are better dispersed across of the district. • The green belt option was not supported by the • Opportunity to build rural affordable housing. district’s residents in the 2014 consultation. • Improve access to housing for rural communities with new housing next to existing rural settlements. Local Plan Consulatation 2015 15 Development would mean the would Development loss of fieldgreen and agricultural land. Substantial investment and upgrade of current services and infrastructure needed to support provision development. lead toMay unsustainable patterns travel and increased car dependence to access services in urban areas. on local landscape and wildlife. Could impact on the impact character negatively May and heritage of the village. Affordability an issue with remain may higher land values in the rural to the increase likely cost areas of new housing. as more congestionIncreased impacts and air quality people forced to travelto services access and employment. Concentrating in Dolphinholme will do little development to help rural housing issues to the north of the district. consultation comments suggested that2014 it is unfair to focus on a limited number of villages. • • • • • • • • • Disadvantages Potential to improve access to housing toPotential improve for the rural community. A new service to could be developed centre serve the wider rural hinterland to the south of the district. Help to sustain local services that be vulnerable may to due to population numbers. closure low sufficientCould provide economies of scale to deliver and new serviceimproved in Dolphinholme. provision life of Enhanced quality for through residents improved access to the countryside and rural living in Dolphinholme. housing choices more people will have Younger to them allow to in Dolphinholme. remain toPotential encourage rural employment the ruraland improve economy. The majority of the ownership in single sites are enhancing their deliverability and potential to sustainability enhanced secure and design. Located close to the M6 junction enhances the accessibility of the for residents. area future • • • • • • • • • Advantages Expansion at Dolphinholme could provide sites for 500 new houses, along with rural employment land, being built over a long land, being built over rural along with houses, employment new 500 for sites Expansion at Dolphinholme could provide and services need to roads period to Consideration would illustrative. plan is be needed. This site would of time. Improvements land owners. consultation discussion with and this from feedback the to be given Village expansion: Dolphinholme Your views and those of other organisations will be used to put together a final What proposal for consultation in 2016. To receive further updates, please sign up to the planning policy consultation list at happens www.lancaster.gov.uk/localplanconsultation A more detailed document on the proposed approach, revised spatial strategy and next? strategic objectives, can be found at www.lancaster.gov.uk/planningpolicy Frequently Asked Questions How many new homes are needed? Is this consultation saying that we need an The total number recommended by the consultants is between urban extension at Lancaster or sites in the 650 and 700 every year from 2011 to 2031. Over the 20 years greenbelt or growth at Dolphinholme? this equates to 13,000 and 14,000 new homes. No, the consultation is saying that we need development at all three of these locations. This consultation describes how around 5,000-6,000 homes could be developed on additional new sites. With the known Is development of green belt allowed? sites in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Green belts are protected by policy, not by legislation. The (SHLAA), the new strategic sites could provide the total North Lancashire Green Belt is designated through the local recommended number of 13,000 to 14,000 homes. plan. Councils are being advised to review their green belts to ensure that they are still functioning as green belt, and if its Is the Strategic Housing Land Availability current boundaries are still relevant for now and the future. Assessment (SHLAA) a local plan? No, the SHLAA is evidence that informs the local plan. The Why does the consultation show sites in the green belt council needs to know how many sites are available for when the green belt has not been reviewed yet? development. The sites that the council already knows about The council is preparing the local plan as quickly as it can are shown in the SHLAA. Planning officers have assessed to ensure that it can meet the Government’s timetable. The whether these sites are suitable for development, if they are review might conclude that some or all of the suggested sites available for development, and if development of the site is in the green belt should not be allocated, or the boundaries achievable. may need to be changed because the sites are the best available for accommodating growth. Sites to be allocated will Can the council not plan for smaller numbers? be shown in the draft local plan and consulted on in 2016. Government guidance is that councils must plan in accordance with the evidence regarding their housing and employment Could all of this development happen in the next few years? needs. Local plans should meet the recommended need, and The council’s role is to ensure that enough opportunities have flexibility, unless there are very clear negative planning for new homes to be built are shown in the local plan, which impacts. Councils will have to produce hard and convincing phases development over the next 15 years. Suggested copyright permitted© Crown are to use this data and database You to solely rights enable you to to, OS 100025403. respond or interact with, 2015 the that you withorganisation sub-licence, distribute provided not permitted the are data. to copy, You or sell any of this data to third parties in any form. evidence of why they can’t meet their own needs. sites will all require a great deal of work before they can be developed. New infrastructure may be needed and delivered. What is the council doing about empty homes? The council adopted its first Empty Homes Strategy in October Developers would need to buy the land from the current 2014 and this is helping to increase the number of good owners and get detailed planning permission. quality homes to meet the demand for rented accommodation. Even then housing developers only usually build about 30-40 The reduced number of empty homes is taken into account in houses per year on a big site, so a site of 400 houses might the calculations for future housing need. take 10 years to complete.

Is the council not pursuing the idea of a new town in the Lune Valley any more? The new town did not compare well with the other approaches and the council is no longer exploring this option. © Burnley 2015. Job_11053. creative-council.net Council