COUNCILLOR DELEGATED REPORT GEORGE DAVIES WEST LOCAL PLAN REVIEW DEPUTY LEADER OF THE PREFERRED OPTIONS (LPRPO) COUNCIL AND CABINET CONSULTATION RESPONSE MEMBER FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY SAFETY

REPORT SUMMARY

West Lancashire Borough Council (WLBC) have published their Local Plan Review Preferred Options (LPRPO)

WLBC intend to prepare a Local Plan that will cover the period 2012-2050 (with a base date reflecting that this Local Plan is a continuation of the current adopted Local Plan for 2012- 2027). It provides a long-term spatial vision, strategic priorities and policies for future development over the next 30 years, specifically with regard to the quantity and location of new homes and employment sites.

Wirral Council has a duty to co-operate with on the development of statutory land use planning policies where it relates to strategic cross-boundary matters.

This report sets out the background to the content of the West Lancashire LPRPO and proposes a series of recommended responses to issues that are considered relevant to Wirral. Overall, however, it is considered that given the location of West Lancashire and the scale of their proposals, there are no significant implications for Wirral arising from the LPRPO.

Copy of Local Plan Review Documents to be viewed at: https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/the-local-plan/local-plan- review/preferred-options.aspx

RECOMMENDATIONS

Given the location of West Lancashire and the scale of their proposals, it is recommended that the Council make a formal response in line with the duty to Co- operate to the consultation. It is therefore recommended that Wirral Council:

1. Supports the priorities and principles of sustainable growth, as set out in Policy SP1 – Delivering Sustainable Development.

2. Supports the recognition and intention in Policy SP2 – Strategic Development Requirements to meet 91 hectares of the City Region provision of large-scale B8 employment land requirements. 3. Supports the intention in Policy SP2 – Strategic Development Requirements to meet the Borough’s objectively assessed need for additional housing and contribute to unmet housing need in line with the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Market Assessment (SHELMA) commissioned by the Liverpool City Region authorities.

4. Welcomes the protection of biodiversity assets in Policy GI3 - Nature Conservation and Ecological Networks, including those in neighbouring authorities. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

1.0 REASON/S FOR RECOMMENDATION

1.1 To ensure that Wirral Council’s views on the LPRPO are formally submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council (WLBC), in accordance with the Council’s legal duty to co-operate on the development of statutory land use planning policies where it relates to a strategic cross-boundary matter.

2.0 OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED

2.1 The only alternative option is to not submit any representations, which would not allow the Council to demonstrate that it has fulfilled its legal duty to co-operate on strategic cross boundary matters.

3.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

3.1 The proposed LPRPO provides a long-term spatial vision, strategic priorities and policies for future development in the Borough over the next 30 years, specifically with regard to the quantity and location of new homes and employment; shops, facilities and other services; transport and other infrastructure provision; climate change mitigation and adaption; and the conservation and enhancement of the natural and historic environment.

4.0 SUMMARY OF CONTENTS AND POLICIES WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR WIRRAL

Chapter 1 - Introduction

4.1 This section sets out the history and reasoning for the LPRPO, the timescale and preparation of the new local plan. It states its consideration of national policies and strategies including the key sub-regional matter of Duty to Co-operate.

4.2 It also highlights the key issues facing West Lancashire in relation to: - changing demographics and aging population; - housing - appropriate, affordable, housing provision to draw working age people to the area; meeting the needs of the travelling community and students; - economy - the opportunity to boost local economy as a result of Liverpool2 deep water terminal; leakage of non-food/leisure spending out of the Borough; - agricultural land and international nature reserves; - the impact of climate change in relation to flooding and drainage; - renewable energy provision; - the issue of rural isolation; and - improvements to transport. Chapter 2 - A Vision for West Lancashire

4.3 The Vision reflects what the WLBC would like to achieve - in summary, stating that West Lancashire will be an attractive place where people want to live, work and visit. The Borough will retain its local character and will also make the most of its highly accessible location within the North West and its links with the three City Regions of Liverpool, Greater and Central Lancashire. West Lancashire will grow economically and play its part in providing a fantastic range of housing, at the right quality, as a fundamental factor in delivering economic growth. The Vision identifies the Borough’s three main settlements of with Up Holland, with Aughton and as the focus for new development, with associated infrastructure improvements such as the Skelmersdale rail link.

4.4 The LPRPO then sets out 10 objectives for delivery of the Vision for: Sustainable Communities; A Healthy Population; A High Quality Built Environment; Addressing Climate Change; Reduced Inequality; The Right Mix of Housing; A Vitalized Economy; Vibrant Town and Villages Centres; Accessible Services; and A Natural Environment.

Chapter 3 - Strategic Policies

4.5 This section includes a total of 8 Strategic Policies, including policies for delivering sustainable development (Policy SP1) and strategic development requirements (Policy SP2) which are discussed in more detail below. The remaining strategic policies – Policy SP3 - Settlement Boundaries; Policy SP4 - Development in the Green Belt; and Policies SP5-SP8, which identify strategic development locations at Skelmersdale, Burscough, Ormskirk and Aughton - have no implications for Wirral.

Policy SP1 – Delivering Sustainable Development.

4.6 Policy SP1 seeks to accord with the presumption in favour of sustainable development in the NPPF by setting at the heart of the Local Plan the desire to create sustainable development and to be proactive in promoting appropriate new development. New development will be promoted in accordance with a Settlement Hierarchy with those settlements higher up the hierarchy, in general, taking more development than those lower down. Spatially and economically, Skelmersdale, and the area surrounding it, is the main location for new development throughout the Local Plan period. Ormskirk, Aughton and Burscough are also key locations for new development with a focus of new development to the south-east of Ormskirk and Aughton and the existing allocated Yew Tree Farm site in Burscough.

Policy SP2 –Strategic Development Requirements

4.7 Over the period 2012 to 2050 the LPRPO identifies the need for 15,992 new dwellings (net) as a minimum and a need for 190 ha of land to be newly developed for employment uses. These Borough-wide requirements will be divided between the different spatial areas of the Borough. 4.8 The proposed 15,992 dwelling requirement reflects a combination of elements of housing need. Firstly, it reflects the current adopted Local Plan’s housing requirement to 2027. Secondly, for the period from 2027- 2050 it utilises the Local Housing Need calculation set by the Government as it pertains to West Lancashire at the time of preparing this document, then adds to this an anticipated growth of housing need in West Lancashire from 2027-2050. This is based upon the impact of the Skelmersdale Rail proposals and the proposals to accommodate a significant level of large-scale logistics development on the M58 Corridor. This growth in housing need will be redirected primarily from the Liverpool City Region by the change in commuting patterns and employment opportunities these proposals create in West Lancashire.

4.9 Finally, the LPRPO anticipates that a further element of the Liverpool City Region’s housing need between 2027 and 2050 will not be able to be met within the City Region, due to significant environmental constraints limiting capacity for development in some parts of the City Region, and so under the Duty to Co- operate West Lancashire is obliged to meet these future unmet housing needs, if it can do so.

4.10 The proposed employment land requirement reflects a need for 99 hectares of employment land for B1, B2 and small-scale B8 uses over the period 2012-2050 (2.6 hectares per year) based on the ‘Completions Trend’ scenario in the LCR SHELMA study and the proposal that West Lancashire should deliver 91 hectares of large-scale B8 uses over the period 2012-2050 (2.4 hectares per year), as a contribution towards meeting the demand for large-scale B8 uses within the wider City Region.

4.11 WLBC have chosen a 30 year plan period to 2050 (with a base date of 2012) to reflect the need for a longer-term view in order to plan properly for West Lancashire. WLBC state a 30 year plan will enable them to avoid repeat amendments to the Green Belt boundary every 5-10 years. This would provide certainty for residents, businesses and developers alike about the Green Belt boundary, by planning so that further changes to the Green Belt boundary should not be required for at least 20 years.

Chapter 4 - Economic Policies (seven policies)

Policy EC1: Delivering New Employment Developments

4.12 As established in Policy SP2, the delivery of at least 190 ha of new employment development (B1, B2 and B8 uses) will be promoted in West Lancashire between 2012 and 2050.

4.13 The 190ha is extrapolated from the SHELMA (2012- 2037) to the proposed Local Plan period (2012- 2050). Chapter 5 - Housing Policies (eight policies)

Policy H2: Housing Site Allocations

4.14 As established in Policy SP2, the delivery of 15,992 dwellings (a rounded average of 421 dwellings per year) is needed over the proposed Local Plan period of 2012- 2050. This would include 6,256 dwellings for the unmet housing need from the LCR for 2027-2050 (272 x 23 years).

4.15 Policy H2 sets out the Strategic Development sites and Major Residential Development sites to meet the targets for local housing need along with unmet housing need from the wider LCR for 2027-2050.

Chapter 6 - Infrastructure and Services Policies (four policies)

Policy IF1: Strategic Transport Infrastructure

4.16 Policy IF1 supports the preferred development strategy identified by Policy SP1 and Policy SP2 by seeking to ensure that new developments are well located in relation to existing transport infrastructure whilst delivering new infrastructure where and when required, ensuring safety, improving sustainable forms of transport to reduce carbon emissions and providing mitigation as appropriate, including a number of rail projects including the Skelmersdale Rail link; electrification of the railway line between Ormskirk and Burscough; and an appropriate rail link made between the Ormskirk-Preston line and - line.

Policy IF4: Low Carbon and Renewable Energy Development

4.17 WLBC will support the development of low carbon and renewable energy schemes where they are appropriately located and designed.

Chapter 7 - Green Infrastructure Policies (six policies)

Policy GI3: Nature Conservation and Ecological Networks

4.18 WLBC will have regard to the following hierarchy of nature conservation sites when making planning decisions, according to their designation:

a. International 1. Ramsar Sites 2. Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) 3. Special Protection Areas (SPA) 4. Candidate SACs or SPAs.

b. National 1. National Nature Reserves (NNR) 2. Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 4.19 The strongest possible protection will be given to sites of international importance. The preservation of the Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park will also be encouraged.

Chapter 8 - Sustainable Development and Design Policies (five policies)

4.20 None of these policies are considered to have any implications for Wirral.

Chapter 9 - Next Steps

4.21 Following the close of the consultation, on 13 December, WLBC will consider all the feedback received from the public consultation and use it in preparing what is effectively a final draft Local Plan, known as the Publication document. That process must take into account the views of everyone who comments.

5.0 CONCLUSION

5.1 It is therefore recommended that a response is submitted to West Lancashire Borough Council to indicate that Wirral Council:

 Supports the priorities and principles of sustainable growth, as set out in Policy SP1 – Delivering Sustainable Development.  Supports the recognition and intention in Policy SP2 – Strategic Development Requirements to meet 91 hectares of the LCR provision of large-scale B8 employment land requirements.  Supports the intention in Policy SP2 – Strategic Development Requirements to meet the Boroughs objectively assessed need for additional housing and contribute to unmet housing need in line with the Strategic Housing and Employment Land Market Assessment (SHELMA) commissioned by the LCR authorities.  Welcomes the protection of biodiversity assets in Policy GI3: Nature Conservation and Ecological Networks including those in neighbouring authorities.

6.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

6.1 There are no financial implications arising from this report, as any representations in support of the responses recommended can be undertaken within existing resources.

7.0 LEGAL

7.1 The Council has a legal duty to co-operate with West Lancashire on the development of statutory land use planning policies relating to strategic cross- boundary matters, under section 33A of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and Regulation 4 of Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) () Regulations 2012 (as amended). 8.0 RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS: STAFFING, ICT AND ASSETS

8.1 There are no resource implications arising directly from this report.

8.2 The response to West Lancashire Borough Council and any further representations will be prepared and submitted using existing resources for Economic and Housing Growth.

9.0 RELEVANT RISKS

9.1 The main risk is that the policies and proposals for West Lancashire are adopted without taking account of their potential impact on Wirral and the LCR.

10.0 ENGAGEMENT / CONSULTATION

10.1 Previous input into the West Lancashire Local Plan and associated evidence base has been at an officer level. This report additionally provides the basis of a response to a letter sent to all the Liverpool City Region Local Planning Authorities in June 2018.

10.2 There will be a further opportunity for Wirral Council to comment when the Publication Draft of the West Lancashire Local Plan is issued.

11.0 EQUALITY IMPLICATIONS

11.1 There are no implications arising directly from this report.

11.2 Voluntary, community and faith groups can also comment on the content of the LPRPO, provided their comments are received by West Lancashire Borough Council within the statutory deadline.

REPORT AUTHOR: Rachel McNern Senior Planning Officer (Temporary) Tel: (0151) 691 8160 Email: [email protected]

REFERENCE MATERIAL https://www.westlancs.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/the-local-plan/local-plan- review/preferred-options.aspx