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Home , Aspatria, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Hindpool, Kendal

Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 2008 to 2028

For more information on this document please contact the Head of Transport and Spatial Planning on 01228 226717.

Or visit: www.cumbriastrategicpartnership.org.uk

We can provide this strategy in different formats on request.

9581 Designed by 3cStudio Graphic Design 01228 226420 The challenge is to secure a sustainable level and pattern of development that creates balanced communities and Contents meets need including the need for jobs throughout Cumbria Contents

p4-5 Executive summary p6-9 1 Introduction p10-13 2 Summary of key spatial issues facing Cumbria sub region p14-21 3 The Spatial Strategy p22-31 4 Areas within Cumbria p32-35 5 Delivering the Sub Regional Spatial Strategy

2 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 3 Executive summary

1.4The Community C Strategy for Cumbria seeks 1.4Key serviceC centres will accommodate In the National Park rural service • The achievement of the spatial initiatives in to energise the county’s communities, health, development appropriate to the size and role of centres and other sustainable communities will the West Cumbria Energy Coast Masterplan, economy, connections and environment the centre as indicated in para 3.6. Small scale accommodate development to meet locally the Barrow Masterplan and Housing over the next 10 – 20 years. Cumbria’s Sub development will take place in local service generated needs. Growth Point Regional1.4 C Spatial Strategy sets out the spatial 1.4centres C and other locations as identified in the planning framework. This enables actions that local development frameworks. In order to achieve the Cumbria Sub Regional • Delivering Balanced Housing Markets affect specific areas and locations to achieve Spatial Strategy the following measures need throughout Cumbria and Housing Market 1.4the delivery C of the Community Strategy and 1.4To achieve C more balanced communities and to be implemented in accord with the county’s Renewal in and West Cumbria provide the sub regional spatial framework reduce inequality in Cumbria, three spatial accessibility principles. Executive summary for local development frameworks in Cumbria. objectives have been identified: • Investment in the following transport schemes: This enables them to align to the Community • All parts of Cumbria need to be within a Strategy.1.4 C 1.4• To reduceC the dependency for high level reasonable distance of high quality inward - A590 improvements services/jobs on towns outside Cumbria investment opportunities - A595/6 improvements The challenge is to secure a sustainable level • To increase the viability and complementary - A66 improvements and pattern of development that creates nature of towns and villages throughout • Sites for high value businesses to be - A69 improvements balanced communities and meets need Cumbria available at: - Access to Windermere/Bowness - including the need for jobs throughout • To develop and maintain high quality modern - Carlisle Airport and associated Cumbria1. This will require private and and integrated transport networks - Barrow , Barrow infrastructure public investment, in appropriate locations, - Eden Business Park (Gilwilly, Penrith) - Carlisle Northern Development Route to bring about a transformational change - - Cumbria Coastal, Furness and to the Cumbrian economy. In the interests - Windermere Branch Railway Lines of sustainable development, housing is also The development - Carlisle (including Kingmoor) necessary at a level to complement economic - Lillyhall ()2 • Utilising the potential of the Cumbria coast growth and ensure local housing needs are emphasis is for: - West Lakes Science and Technology Park met through the achievement of balanced ()2 housing markets. There is a need to enhance Major development to take place in environmental assets and for the impacts of Barrow, Carlisle, Workington and Whitehaven. • Provision of additional and improved Higher climate change to be addressed. Significant development is to take place in and Further Education opportunities including Kendal, Penrith, Ulverston and but the further development of the University Development will support the roles of Barrow with greater consideration as to the scale and of Cumbria, Nuclear , National and Carlisle and provide a range of facilities the capacity for development. Nuclear Laboratory, Dalton Cumbria Facility, and services to improve health, reduce crime Kendal and Furness Colleges and Academies and enhance education and skills attainment Moderate development to take place within communities. in Dalton-in-Furness, , , • Developing tourism through provision of Brampton, Longtown, , Moor, improved accommodation and key projects In rural and sparse rural areas the character Egremont, , , Alston, Appleby, including: of individual areas will be respected and Grange-over-Sands, , Kirkby development will strengthen the economy and Stephen, and . - Restoration of the northern reaches of the support rural communities. Lancaster Small scale development to take place - ’s Wall Zone in local service centres and other locations as - Derwent Forest identified in the local development frameworks. - Windermere Waterfront Regeneration In open countryside development will take place only in exceptional circumstances.

1 The objective is to raise local incomes and GVA to a level commensurate with the rest of the region. 2 To include tertiary education facilities.

4 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 5 1 Introduction

1.4 C 141.1 TheC Community Strategy for Cumbria, seeks to energise the county’s The Cumbria Community Strategy aims to communities, health, economy, connections and environment over the 1.4 C 14 C create: next 10 – 20 years. It brings together Introduction

aspirations and ambitions from a range of • safe, strong and inclusive communities; 1 thematic and geographic strategies. • health and well-being throughout life; 1.4 C 14 C • a sustainable and prosperous economy; • effective connections between people and places; • world class environmental quality. 1.4 C 14 C

6 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 7 1.41.2 Cumbria’sC Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 1.41.3 C To guide development management 1.4 The Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 1.5 This strategy and consequent development sets out the spatial planning framework of the strategy sets out a number of also sets out an agreed list of priority plans need to be closely monitored and to enable actions that affect specific development principles3 which are measures which we will work together to reviewed so that development necessary areas and locations to achieve the fundamental to securing appropriate achieve and for which we will lobby at a to meet economic and social objectives is 1.4 C 1.4 C above. It provides the sub regional development and effective ‘place regional and national level. The strategy not inhibited by the relevant plans being Introduction

spatial framework for local development shaping’. The development and should also be read alongside Routes out of date. 1 frameworks in Cumbria. This countywide application of these principles will enable to a Prosperous Cumbria which sets out 1.4 strategyC aims to achieve an integrated 1.4 Cthe diversity of the issues, problems the improved transport infrastructure approach to delivering a prosperous and assets in Cumbria to be recognised projects that would support a prosperous and sustainable future for the whole of whilst at the same time ensuring a Cumbria. 1.4 Cumbria.C 1.4 Cconsistent approach to assessing the appropriateness of development proposals. The principles build upon those originally set out in the joint structure plan and set out in the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West. Local authorities will be encouraged to take these forward in the local development frameworks.

3 See section 5.

8 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 9 12 IntroductionSummary of key spatial issues facing Cumb ria sub region

1.4 C 142.1 C Cumbria is geographically isolated 2.2 The county’s settlement pattern results 2.3 Despite the need to travel, the transport and distant from regional, national and in a dispersed population with distinct infrastructure is out of date and requires European markets. This isolation is further problems of sparsity with many smaller major investment. The lack of quality accentuated in Cumbria’s remoter rural towns not being sufficiently large to networks is seen to inhibit inward 1.4 C 14 C areas and is a contributing factor to the provide all the facilities required for investment and further reinforces the difficulties in attracting investment into modern living. Facilities and services are sense of remoteness. the county. Put another way Cumbria more costly to provide and difficult to 1.4 C 14 Cis relatively self contained, with some access and the limited size of the markets relationships with North , make it less attractive to invest in such North East and South West services. As a result people may need 1.4 C 14 CScotland. to travel longer distances to satisfy their needs or more innovative ways to access Cumbria is services and facilities (such as mobile services) may be required. relatively self contained with relationships with North Lancashire, and South West Scotland Summary of key spatial issues facing Cumbria sub region 2

10 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 11 2.4 The location and quality of some 2.6 The potential impacts of climate change 2.7 The safe and secure disposal of employment sites do not marry with the and ensuring sustainable resource radioactive waste also continues to be objective to reverse the trend of relative management is an issue that has to a key issue for Cumbria along with the poor economic growth and the need to be addressed by all strategies, not wider implications that a new generation diversify the economy and to provide least this one. Cumbria is increasingly of nuclear power stations in the UK may worthwhile jobs where they are needed. experiencing severe flooding and needs bring. This is further exacerbated by the need to reduce its level of carbon emissions. for more modern housing and, in much New facilities are needed to increase of rural Cumbria, more affordable recycling and composting whilst reducing housing to support economic growth, to the amounts of waste that are sent to address the loss of young people and to landfill. Energy conservation needs to be The spatial issues should be seen in the address local needs. addressed related to domestic, industrial and transport related activities. context of:

• An under performing economy, with high dependency on declining sectors and under 2.5 Within the North West, Cumbria is representation in growth sectors; unique with a high proportion of • Average household earnings significantly below the UK average; the county covered by international, • Poor health and problems of social exclusion and localised social and economic inequalities national and local designations which in both urban and rural areas; recognise and seek to protect and • Lack of necessary types of housing and the need for affordable housing and housing for enhance its landscape, biodiversity, local needs; heritage and other environmental • Outward migration of young people and an ageing population; assets. This brings with it pressures of • Inadequate road and rail infrastructure and transport services; high demand particularly evidenced • Climate change; in the housing and tourism markets. • Increasing expectations for personalisation and quality of public services. In contrast urban development in Summary of key spatial issues facing Cumbria sub region

Cumbria has left a legacy of relatively 2 small and remote towns, most of them in coastal locations, often requiring regeneration, renewal and improvement to the public realm. Balanced and Sustainable urban and rural communities

12 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 13 3 The Spatial Strategy4

3.1 Against this background the challenge is to secure a sustainable level To bring about a and pattern of development that creates balanced communities and meets local needs. This will require private and public investment, in transformational appropriate locations, to bring about a transformational change to the quality of our towns and villages and provide the The Spatial Strategy

necessary infrastructure5 and secure the 3 change quality of our environments. to the quality of our towns and villages

4 A sustainability assessment was undertaken of the existing Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy and the fi ndings incorporated into this version. 5 This includes housing, employment areas, retail and leisure facilities, health and education facilities, transport and the public realm.

14 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 15 Key Diagram

3.2 Development will therefore be 3.4 In rural and sparse rural areas the encouraged that secures balanced and character of individual areas will Longtown sustainable urban and rural communities be respected and development will so that there is: strengthen the economy and support rural communities. Development will be Brampton • A flourishing, and diverse economy supported that achieves more equitable Carlisle • Access to a range of good quality access to housing, services, education, Silloth housing that meets the needs of the health care and employment. A more Wigton community including those taking up diverse economic base whilst maintaining The Spatial Strategy

employment support for agriculture and tourism will 3 Alston Aspatria • A full range of appropriate and be encouraged. accessible services Maryport • Good transport services and communications linking people to jobs, Cockermouth Penrith Workington schools, health and other services Keswick • Quality built, natural and historic environments Whitehaven Appleby • Safe and healthy places to live Egremont At the same time opportunities will be taken to enable development to be a test bed for good practice and for Windermere inspirational innovation and design. Kendal Sedbergh 3.3 Development will support the roles of Barrow and Carlisle and provide a range of facilities and services to improve Milnthorpe Ulverston Millom Kirkby Lonsdale health, reduce crime and enhance Grange-over-Sands educational and skills attainment within Dalton-in-Furness communities. Key service centres will Barrow-in-Furness accommodate development appropriate to the size and role of the centre as indicated in para 3.6. Small scale development will take place in local service centres. In the Lake District National Park, rural service centres Diagramatic summary for the strategy and other sustainable communities will accommodate development to meet Areas of economic and social functionality (indicative boundaries) locally generated need.

Hierarchy of key service centres. The minimum requirement provision in each is for a supply of land for new housing, readily available land in the local employment site market sector, a high level of transport accessibility and the ability to connect to high speed communications technology.

Communications links Inward investment / high tech opportunities

Fostering regional role of Carlisle and sustaining rural services

Securing regeneration Meeting local needs, including employment

16 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 17 3.5 To achieve more balanced communities 3 To develop and maintain high to improve the quality and availability Small scale development to and reduce inequality in Cumbria, three quality modern and integrated of facilities. The use of development take place in local service centres and spatial objectives have been identified: transport networks. corridors, complemented by improved other locations (as identified in local open space and the public realm, development frameworks) to help sustain 1 To reduce the dependency for Access between and to the key service is required as part of the economic local services, meet local needs, including high level services/jobs in towns centres is critical to a sustainable and social functionality of the area. the centres’ rural hinterlands, and outside Cumbria. Cumbria as is reducing the overall need Significant development will take place support rural businesses. New small scale to travel. The need to reduce remoteness in the key service centres of Kendal, balanced housing, the majority of which This results in the need for higher/further from markets whilst at the same time Penrith, Ulverston and Maryport but should be affordable, will be encouraged The Spatial Strategy

education and cultural facilities, improved increasing the efficiency of local with greater consideration on the scale where it supports the sustainability of the 3 air services and more high quality businesses and to encourage investment and the capacity for development. centre. employment land opportunities supported is crucial. Both Kendal and Penrith have key by the required scale and type of housing roles to play in developing high quality In the open countryside, development to be provided in appropriate locations in Routes to a Prosperous Cumbria sets out employment land and associated will only take place in exceptional Cumbria. Consequently more investment the key improvements needed to bring the balanced housing markets. Development circumstances. These circumstances is required in Barrow, Carlisle, Kendal, transport infrastructure of Cumbria up to in Ulverston should assist in sustaining can include an essential requirement Penrith and West Cumbria. a modern standard. These improvements the regeneration of Barrow by supporting for a rural location which cannot are reflected in the Sub Regional Spatial an increase in its catchment’s population. be accommodated elsewhere and 2 To increase the viability and Strategy. This complementary development of development which is fundamental to complementary nature of towns Ulverston should be further promoted delivering positive transformational by the encouragement of high value change to the local economy. and villages throughout Cumbria. 3.6 In order to achieve these objectives, the businesses. Development in Maryport development emphasis is for: The need is to ensure that our should complement that of Workington In the Lake District National Park and Whitehaven and seek to secure development to meet local generated communities have access to high quality Major development to take place regeneration. needs will be met in rural service centres services. Whilst the overall challenge is in the key service centres of Barrow, and other sustainable communities to to create these balanced communities, in Carlisle, and Workington / Whitehaven. Moderate development to take be identified in the local development reality towns and villages do not function The level of development will need to place in the key service centres of Dalton- framework. in isolation from one another (see Figure be in scale with the need and capacity in-Furness, Aspatria, Cockermouth, 1). These dependencies need to be of the area. Carlisle is a major service Brampton, Longtown, Wigton, Cleator recognised so that towns and villages centre within Cumbria and as such should Moor, Egremont, Millom, Silloth, Alston, are developed in a coordinated and act as a focal point for development in Appleby, Grange-over-Sands, Kirkby integrated way. the county. Development in the city is Lonsdale, Kirkby Stephen, Milnthorpe required to act as a catalyst for the whole and Sedbergh. The actual scale of of the Cumbrian economy. development will depend on the relationship of the key service centre Major development is required in Barrow to its neighbours and its capacity to support its regional and sub regional for expansion. These centres have a role. Major development is also required particularly important role in servicing in Workington and Whitehaven to their large rural catchments hence counterbalance the current and future further development to satisfy economic loss of jobs and to improve the quality and community needs will be strongly of life. Spatial planning will be required supported. that develops the roles of the existing centres of Whitehaven and Workington, alongside those of Cleator Moor and Maryport should be complementary so that they support each other as a single urban area and generate the means

18 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 19 Spatial initiatives 3.7 In order to achieve the Cumbria Sub • Provision of additional and • Delivering balanced housing market Regional Spatial Strategy the following improved Higher and Further throughout Cumbria and housing of sub regional measures need to be implemented. Education opportunities including market renewal in Furness and West the development of the 6 importance • All parts of Cumbria need to have Cumbria, Nuclear Academy, National easily accessible high quality inward Nuclear Laboratory, Dalton Cumbria • Investment in the following transport investment opportunities Facility, Kendal and Furness Colleges schemes: and Academies • Sites for high value businesses need to - A590 improvements (including The Spatial Strategy

be available at: • Developing tourism through provision High and Low Newton Bypass and 3 of improved accommodation and key Ulverston Bypass) - Barrow Port, Barrow projects including: - A595/6 improvements - Eden Business Park (Gilwilly, Penrith) - A66 improvements - Kendal - Restoration of the northern reaches - A69 improvements - Ulverston of the - Access to Windermere/Bowness - Carlisle (including Kingmoor) - Hadrian’s Wall Zone - Carlisle Airport - Lillyhall (Workington)7 - Derwent Forest - Carlisle Northern Development - West Lakes Science and - Windermere Waterfront Route Technology Park Regeneration - Cumbria Coastal, Furness and (Whitehaven)7 Windermere Branch Railway lines • The achievement of the spatial initiatives in the West Cumbria • Utilising the potential of the Cumbria energy coast masterplan, the Barrow coast masterplan and Carlisle growth point bid

6 These spatial initiatives will also have local impacts and will additionally meet the needs of the sub areas. 7 To include tertiary education facilities.

20 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 21 4 Areas within Cumbria

4.1 Within parts of Cumbria differing Differing environmental environmental conditions and economic and social needs require a slightly conditions and economic different emphasis for development to be adopted within the overall strategy. Sub areas have been identified on the basis of and social needs require their economic and social functionality8. Areas within Cumbria a slightly different 4 emphasis to development

8 See Figure 1

22 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 23 Barrow-and-Furness Carlisle and 4.7 Improvements as to how people access and move in and around the city will North Cumbria be required including improvements in 4.2 Furness has in the past faced long term Spatial initiatives of importance access to the railway for both passengers economic difficulties brought about by the to the sub area and freight and the . decline in its traditional manufacturing 4.4 Carlisle is a key focal point for Redevelopment of the airport is also base, the reliance on a small number • Barrow Port redevelopment – major development. Carlisle’s role and influence important. Delivery of the Carlisle of vulnerable employers and its relative mixed use development to create a as a major service centre mean that this Northern Development Route will ease remoteness from regional and national ‘Marina Village’ and ‘Waterfront growth will be of benefit to communities congestion in the city and the opportunity markets. This has also meant that the Gateway’, to include: in South West Scotland, North East to provide a more integrated approach Areas within Cumbria quality of the built environment and the England and the rest of Cumbria. to public transport, strategic car parking 4 housing stock needs to be improved. - Barrow Marina – a focus for and sustainable transport modes will be Barrow-in-Furness will continue to play a waterfront activity; taken. significant role in providing all high level - New waterfront housing; 4.5 Carlisle Renaissance, the vision for services to the town and its catchment - Major new business and commercial the regeneration of Carlisle, will build area. Major investment will continue to location; on the key assets of the city, namely 4.8 Significant new housing development and be needed to ensure that Barrow has a - Cruise Terminal; the quality of the built environment, its associated social infrastructure will be high quality environment and that the - Improvements to housing and public historic associations, border location and required to support growth of the city and necessary infrastructure and transport realm; regional and inter regional transport housing renewal schemes will continue to networks are to modern standards. The - Nature reserve at ; links. Development will strengthen be encouraged. proximity of Furness to the western and - Barrow Watersports Centre. Carlisle city’s role as a regional centre for business, commerce, shopping, southern lakes will be material in the 4.9 The role of key and local service centres leisure, culture and tourism whilst future development of the area. • Barrow town centre renewal within Carlisle’s rural hinterlands will be respecting and enhancing the city’s – including encouraging investment, sustained by making them the focus of historic character. Carlisle will also be a public realm improvements, an appropriate scale of housing, local 4.3 The priority for new development ‘Learning City’, with expansion of higher re-orientating and reconnecting the employment, retailing and community is to support economic and social education provision and the knowledge town centre and the waterfront development. regeneration and improve the quality based economy. Development which of life. Opportunities will be taken provides inward investment to support • Ulverston Canal Head redevelopment Spatial initiatives of importance to sustain and enhance employment, diversification of the city’s economic and town centre masterplan to the sub area secure investment and diversify the base will be encouraged and a range economic base. Measures will be • Improved provision and integration of employment opportunities will be supported that reduce journey times to - Caldew Riverside of transport networks to support made available across all market sectors the M6 motorway. The distinctive role - Rickergate economic opportunities and develop throughout the city. and opportunities offered by the Port of - City centre public realm improvements tourism potential through: Barrow will be fostered with measures taken to build on the area’s heritage. 4.6 High quality mixed use development • Development of academy schools - Improvements to Line; Balanced housing markets will be created schemes will support the expansion of the - Improvements to industrial estate through refurbishment, clearance and existing city centre to the south and west. • Improvements to transport/accessibility access – Dock Estate, Road, renewal and by building new homes There will be significant improvements including: Channelside and Kimberly Clark; that create choice and quality in the to the public realm and the creation - Improved co-ordination and market to meet housing demand and help of a vibrant waterfront along the River - Carlisle Southern Relief Road extension of existing transport generate investor confidence. The role of Caldew. - A69 improvements facilities in Barrow, including new the town centre will be supported through - Improvements to Tyne Valley / Cruise Terminal; measures that enable refurbishment Carlisle to Settle railways - A second crossing of the Walney and environmental improvement and by - Improvements to urban cycle Channel; physical restructuring. networks - Improved road and rail access to - Wigton Eastern Relief Road ; - Urban cycle networks in Barrow-in- Furness, Ulverston and Dalton-in- Furness.

24 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 25 Lake District National Park

4.10 The pressures facing the Lake District 4.11 Development in the Lake District National Functional relationships include: Spatial initiatives of importance include a lack of affordable housing, Park must not conflict with the statutory to the sub area changes in farming practices, the National Park purposes9. Development - Accessing services outside the park need to sustain local services, increase will meet locally generated needs. boundary, in locations including • Regeneration of Windermere accessibility and sustainable transport. Kendal, Ulverston, Penrith, Waterfront Areas within Cumbria

There is also a recognised need to take Cockermouth and West Cumbria. • The development of sustainable 4 4.12 It is important that the functional a proactive approach to developing a - Commuting to locations inside and transport networks and services relationships of the National Park with its diverse and prosperous economy in the outside of the National Park • Delivery of enhancements to wider area are addressed and a suitable National Park. In addition the tourist - Transportation of visitors from Windermere, Bowness and Ambleside framework for meeting locally generated accommodation, facilities, attractions and Cumbria and beyond to and from needs is developed through the local wider public realm require investment the National Park, and in particular development frameworks. and upgrading to secure the future of Windermere and Keswick the tourism industry. Traffic management - The Lake District’s supporting role issues, particularly in the hubs of in the promotion and delivery of Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick regeneration initiatives must also be addressed including improvements to and the integration of public transport and other sustainable transport initiatives.

9 Spatial planning must support the statutory purpose for National Park designation (Section 62 of the Environment Act 1995), to conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural heritage, and to promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park.

26 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 27 South and East Cumbria

4.13 South and East Cumbria benefits 4.15 Investment in Kendal and Penrith will be 4.17 A small part of the Dales Spatial initiatives of importance from a high quality built and natural essential to addressing the problems of National Park falls within Cumbria to the sub area environment. This together with its the poor performing economy, through and for the statutory spatial planning excellent strategic transport links and broadening the provision of new added documents is not part of the North Improving the economic base of key its proximity to the two National Parks value opportunities and the promotion of West Region but is in the Cumbria local service centres and encourage a range of Areas within Cumbria

means there is considerable demand for enterprise. Shortage of readily available transport plan area. The area faces some service and facilities through the: 4 development, particularly housing. A employment sites has been a key problem of the same issues as the Lake District significant pressure on the housing market and an increased supply of employment and from a spatial planning perspective • Development of additional quality comes from in-migration of either long land for a variety of business uses will the priority is to focus development on employment land in Kendal and distance commuters or people retiring. It be provided. Particular emphasis will be Sedbergh and encourage affordable Penrith also comes from the holiday and second given to providing high quality business housing, sustainable transport and home markets increasingly displaced from park sites with good access to markets sustainable tourism initiatives. • Development of Penrith New Squares the National Parks. Together these lead to and employees. Redevelopment of and the K-Village/Riverside, Kendal competition for housing and problems of Penrith town centre and the integration affordability. High priority will therefore of several key regeneration initiatives • Comprehensive mixed use be given to meeting local affordable in Kendal including comprehensive redevelopment in Kendal Canal Head housing needs, in perpetuity, by requiring redevelopment of the Canal Head area area associated with restoration of that a proportion of the overall housing and tackling traffic management issues the northern reaches of the Lancaster requirement is tied to local occupancy will bring significant opportunities for Canal and a proportion to affordable needs. new investment. • Public realm and infrastructure improvements in Grange-over-Sands 4.14 Generally the area has high levels of 4.16 Along with Kendal and Penrith, other employment, however this masks a towns in the sub area will accommodate • Improving access to new employment dependence on low paid and part time moderate development which will provide or town centre economic opportunities work particularly in the rural areas. service centres for the large rural areas of and minimising traffic impact through: Kendal has also recently suffered the loss South and East Cumbria. Rural businesses of several sources of skilled employment and diversification of the rural economy - Addressing car and coach parking in the financial and manufacturing will be supported including opportunities issues in Kendal through upgrading sectors. To the south of the area there for tourism developments. existing and providing alternative are close links with Lancaster district with strategic parking sites; regard to economic activity, employment - Encouraging walking and cycling land supply, tourism and access to higher links within Kendal; education and health care services. To - Improved link from Eden Business the north, similar links exist between the Park/Gillwilly Estate to M6; Penrith area and Carlisle. The location of - Penrith with direct access to the M6 and improvements. however means it acts as a strategic location in its own right increasingly attracting the regional headquarters of organisations requiring good communication across the sub region.

28 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 29 West Cumbria

4.18 West Cumbria contains a number of 4.20 Balanced housing markets will be created 4.22 It is important that the quality of towns • Maintaining and improving the key service centres and former mining through refurbishment, clearance and and villages is enhanced and that the sustainable transport network through: communities which, whilst having their renewal and by enabling new houses to quality of service provision is improved own strong and distinctive identities, are be built within the wider area. There is including public transport, education, - Improving the Cumbria coast closely related socially, economically and a need for choice, quality and flexibility health and recreational facilities. If such railway line; physically and together they form one of in the land allocations being made for an overall improvement were achieved - Maintaining passenger transport the county’s most important urban areas. employment and housing. This is essential this would encourage indigenous networks and developing demand Areas within Cumbria

The area has suffered long term social to enable the rapid economic and social economic growth. responsive transport; 4 and economic problems brought about transition that will occur with the delivery - Developing integrated transport by overdependence on the declining of the transformational interventions Spatial initiatives of importance opportunities linked to an enhanced manufacturing sector and its relative of the masterplan. Public service to the sub area cycling network. remoteness from regional and national infrastructure improvements will also be markets. The most recent challenge required. • Promoting large scale redevelopment • The development of replacement to the economy is the restructuring proposals that secure regeneration hospital facilities and health park / of the nuclear industry and a shift and renewal with priority given to the: research facility 4.21 Together, Workington and Whitehaven to decommissioning. There is also a have a regionally significant role as recognised oversupply of low quality - Marina / harbour development, • Delivery of West Lakes Academy a service centre. It is important that unserviced employment sites. Maryport; School in Egremont development and redevelopment of the - Whitehaven town centre and two towns continues in a complementary Harbourside development; 4.19 To provide a sustainable social and way, building on their individual strengths - West Whitehaven redevelopment; economic future for West Cumbria and exploiting their assets. - Port of Workington redevelopment; ‘transformational change’ is required. The - Lower Derwent Valley West Cumbria Energy Coast Masterplan Regeneration, Workington; seeks to bring about this change, - Derwent Howe, Workington; diversifying the economy whilst building - Provision of hotel accommodation on the areas key assets. The masterplan and conference facilities. identifies a number of major interventions to support UK energy security and • Improving access to economic environmental responsibility in terms of opportunities through the: climate change, through the creation of an energy, environment and technology - Whitehaven Eastern Bypass; cluster along the coastal corridor from - Improvement of links to Workington; to Workington. Interventions - Transport interchange facilities at to support improvements to and Workington and Whitehaven; diversification of the skills base and local - A595 junction improvements economy along with further development – A5086, B5295, Meadow Row, of the tourism, cultural and recreational Mirehouse Road; sectors will also be encouraged. - Pow Beck Spine Road; Significant transport and infrastructure - New A597 junction access to interventions will be crucial to delivering Derwent Howe; transformational change. - A595 bypass schemes (Bootle / Calderbridge / Bigrigg); - A5086 improvements (Egremont – Cockermouth); - A595 / A66 improvements.

30 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 31 5 Delivering The Sub Regional Spatial Strategy

5.1 All development has an impact. It can progressed through Local Development 5.2 The key to delivering a sustainable affect the environment, the economy, Frameworks and/or the planning Cumbria is to ensure that through the quality of people’s lives and the application process. To inform the detailed consideration of the impacts, the An Integrated way resources are consumed. This Sub decision making process, and to ensure benefits of development clearly outweigh Regional Spatial Strategy establishes all impacts, both positive and negative, the disbenefits and any potential negative an overarching sustainable pattern for are taken into account, individual effects are mitigated or have little or no development throughout Cumbria. Whilst proposals must be supported by impact. Developments will be reviewed in approach preparation of this strategy has been relevant and robust information. For the context of their contribution to climate informed by a sustainability appraisal it example, strategic environmental impact change. to delivering a prosperous is recognised that the individual projects assessments, appropriate assessments, and initiatives promoted have their own transport assessments, landscape and social, environmental and economic visual assessments and retail impact and sustainable future impacts and conflicts. This will require assessments. The information to be detailed consideration when being provided will be proportionate to the scale of development and its potential for the whole of Cumbria impact on environmental, social and economic factors. All proposals will also be subject to public consultation through the statutory planning process. Delivering The Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 5

32 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 33 Development principles

5.3 In order to ensure that development is 3 Reduce the risk of flooding within 7 Ensure high standards in design and 9 Ensure development makes efficient sustainable and any potential adverse the development and elsewhere by construction which: use of and is within infrastructure, impacts are minimised, all proposals a choice of location in the following community and service constraints for development including alterations to order of priority: a adopt principles of energy or that these can be satisfactorily existing buildings and land use change efficiency, waste minimisation and overcome through planned will be required to conform to the a sites with little or no flood risk, sustainable waste management improvements or at the developers following principles: followed by including waste segregation expense without an adverse effect on b sites with low or medium flood risk, facilities the environment. 1 Seek locations consistent with the and only then b promote the use of recycled settlement hierarchy (as set out in c sites in areas of high flood materials, decentralised renewable 10 Minimise levels of light pollution and paragraph 3.4) focusing development risk. Design proposals should and low carbon energy sources noise. appropriate to the size and role of minimise or mitigate any flood and energy recovered from waste each key service centre and allowing risk and where practicable include c are suitably constructed to minimise 11 Ensure that development located on small scale development to help sustainable drainage systems vulnerability to the future effects of land known to be contaminated is sustain local services in local service climate change subject to appropriate remediation centres. It will be the exception for Development should minimise or d include siting, scale, use of measures. new developments to be located in the mitigate any flood risk and where materials and landscaping which Delivering The Sub Regional Spatial Strategy

open countryside. This approach will practicable include sustainable respect and, where possible, 5 assist in reducing the need to travel drainage systems. enhance the distinctive character of and in reducing carbon emissions. the townscape and landscape 4 Ensure agricultural land of poorer e promote a safe and secure Within this settlement hierarchy, quality is used for development in environment that designs out crime development should then seek preference to the best and most and makes proper provision for locations in the following order of versatile agricultural land when there people with restricted mobility and priority: is a realistic option relating to where people with special needs development is needed. a the appropriate reuse of existing 8 Avoid reductions in air quality and the buildings worthy of retention, 5 Avoid the loss of, or damage to, quality and quantity of ground water followed by and where possible enhance, restore and surface waters. b the reuse of previously developed or re-establish, important nature land, and only then conservation features. c the use of previously undeveloped land 6 Avoid the loss of or damage to, and wherever possible enhance important 2 Seek sites that are or will be made or distinctive conservation features accessible by public transport, walking including landscapes, buildings, and cycling, providing a realistic archaeological sites, historic parks and Ensure choice of access by means other than gardens and visually important public 10 private car . and private open spaces. high standards in design and construction

10 It should be recognised that this may not always be possible for otherwise sustainable (e.g. local needs housing or employment opportunities) or essential development located in rural areas.

34 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 35 Cumbria Sub Regional Spatial Strategy 2008 to 2028

For more information on this document please contact the Head of Transport and Spatial Planning on 01228 226717.

Or visit: www.cumbriastrategicpartnership.org.uk

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