Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-Through Edition Marked up to Show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4Th September 2008

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Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008

Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-Through Edition September 2008

Lancaster City Council www.lancaster.gov.uk

Andrew Dobson Dip EP MRTPI PDDMS Head of Planning Services

Lancaster City Council Lancaster Town Hall Dalton Square Lancaster LA1 1PJ

4th September 2008

V2/1 September 2008 i Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008

Introduction to the September 2008 Strike-Through Edition of the Lancaster District Local Plan

From the autumn of 2004 onwards the national guidance, legislation and regulations that were used to prepare the Lancaster District Local Plan were replaced by a new system for preparing development plans. All of the policies of the Lancaster District Local Plan will eventually be replaced by policies within new-style development plan documents. During the intervening period a Direction from the Secretary of State, issued on 18 September 2007, “saved” most of the policies of the Lancaster District Local Plan until they are replaced by policies within new Development Plan Documents. These saved policies continue to be part of the local development plan and will continue to be pertinent to the determination of development proposals.

Policies (and the supporting text) which have not been saved by the Direction of the Secretary of State are shown within this Edition of the Lancaster District Local Plan with red strike-through text. These policies no longer form part of the development plan for Lancaster District.

On the 23 July 2008 Lancaster City Council adopted the Lancaster District Core Strategy. Consequently some of the policies of the Lancaster District Local Plan which had been saved by the Direction of the Secretary of State have been wholly replaced or partly replaced by policies of the Core Strategy. Policies of the Lancaster District Local Plan which are superseded in their entirety by policies in the adopted Lancaster District Core Strategy are shown with black strike-through text. These policies no longer form part of the development plan for Lancaster District.

Policies of the Lancaster District Local Plan which are superseded in part by policies in the adopted Lancaster District Core Strategy are shown with dashed underlined text. Both the partially superseded policy and the relevant Core Strategy policy need to be taken into account when planning proposals are being considered. These partly superseded policies continue to form part of the development plan for Lancaster District but where there is a conflict or difference the Core Strategy Policy should carry greater weight.

The adoption of the Lancaster District Core Strategy also has implications for the Lancaster District Local Plan Proposals Map. The interactive on-line version of the proposals map will be revised to take account of these implications, the paper version of the proposals map will be revised when work proceeds on further development plan documents.

Please note that this Strike-Through Edition of the Lancaster District Local Plan has been prepared to assist all parties interpret the implications of the Secretary of State’s Direction on Saved Polices and the implications of the adoption of the Lancaster District Core Strategy. This document has been prepared purely with this intention and the formal position remains that provided through reference to; (i) the adopted version of the Lancaster District Local Plan of 16 April 2004, (ii) the Direction from the Secretary of State, dated 18 September 2007, under paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 directing that for the purposes of the policies specified in the Schedule to this direction, paragraph 1(2)(a) of Schedule 8 to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 does not apply, and, (3) the Lancaster District Core Strategy as adopted on 23 July 2008. Further assistance is available from Lancaster City Council’s Forward Planning Team at [email protected]

1) A large print version of the text in this document can be supplied on request

2) All maps contained in this document are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Lancaster City Council Licence No. LA 078379. 2004.

Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into ii account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS III Diagram 6 – Carnforth Housing Opportunity Sites 26 North Road, Carnforth 26 1. INTRODUCTION 1 Oxford Street, Carnforth 26 Diagram 1; The Local Plan Area 2 Diagram 7 – Hornby Road, Caton 27 1.1 Background 3 Hornby Road Caton 27 Diagram 8 – Coastal Road, Bolton-le-Sands 27 The District Local Plan 3 Coastal Road, Bolton-le-Sands 27 Influences on the Local Plan 3 Diagram 9 – Galgate Silk Mill 27 National Planning Guidance 3 Silk Mill, Galgate 27 Figure 1 – Population and Household Change 3 Housing in Villages 28 Regional Planning Guidance 3 Housing in the Countryside 30 The Lancashire Structure Plan 4 The Removal of Occupancy Conditions 30 Neighbouring Authorities 4 Other Council Policies 4 Affordable Housing 32 The Environment 5 Affordable Housing 32 The Council’s Vision 5 Housing Exceptions in the Rural Area 33 The Council’s Development Strategy 6 The Council's Environmental Strategy 6 2.5 Standards for New Housing 35 How to Use this Plan 7 Layout, Design and the Use of Materials 35 The Proposals Map 8 Sustainable Living 36 Supplementary Planning Guidance 9 The Environmental Appraisal 9 2.6 Catering for Specific Housing Needs 37 2. HOUSING 11 Student Accommodation 37 Residential Caravans and Park Homes 37 2.1 Background 12 Gypsies 37 New Residential Development and Land Recycling12 The Existing Situation 38 New Gypsy Sites 38 2.2 Meeting Housing Requirements 14 Accommodation for Elderly People 39 Figure 2 – Assumed Dwelling Contributions from Sheltered Accommodation 39 Existing Sites at July 2000 14 Retirement Homes 40 Housing Sites in Previous Local Plans 15 Nursing Homes 40 The Urban Concentration Strategy 15 2.7 Existing Housing Areas 41 Figure 3 – The Urban Concentration Strategy 15 Meeting the Housing Requirement 16 Environmental Improvements 41 Figure 4 – Components of Housing Supply 16 Development on Small Sites in Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham and Carnforth 41 2.3 The Main Urban Area 17 Residential Use of Upper Floors 42 Housing Opportunity Sites 17 Flat Development 42 Poulton Market, Morecambe 17 Houses in Multiple Occupation and Hostels 43 Venture Caravan Park, Morecambe 17 Housing Regeneration in Morecambe 44 Summerville Caravan Park, Morecambe 17 Diagram 10 – The Central Poulton Action Area 44 Oxcliffe Road, Morecambe 18 The Central Poulton Area of Morecambe 44 White Lund Road Depot, Morecambe 18 3. THE LOCAL ECONOMY 46 Middleton Road, Heysham 18 Heysham Road Depots, Heysham 18 3.1 Background – the Local Economy 2 Lancaster Moor North 18 Figure 6; Lancaster District King Street/Aldcliffe Road, Lancaster 19 Economically Active Population 1981-2006. 2 Former Pye Feedmill, Lancaster 19 Figure 7; Lancaster District St George’s Quay 19 Employment Structure, 1981-1993 2 Luneside East 19 Figure 8; Commuting out of the District Bulk Road, Lancaster 19 1971-1991 48 Nightingale Hall Farm 19 Business Land and Property 48 Stonewell, Lancaster 20 Figure 9 – Structure Plan Lancaster Central Canal Corridor 20 Employment Land Requirements 48 Car Free Housing 20 Green-field Development 21 3.2 Business Development Sites 49 The Royal Albert area 21 Diagram 11 – Bailrigg Business Park 49 Diagram 2 – Lancaster Moor Hospital 22 Bailrigg Business Park 49 Lancaster Moor Hospital 23 Diagram 12 – Lancaster Business Park 50 Westgate South, Morecambe 24 Lancaster Business Park 50 Diagram 3 – Westgate South 24 Mellishaw Lane 50 Derwent Road, Lancaster 24 Diagram 13 – The Mellishaw Area 50 Diagram 5 – Derwent Road 24 Carnforth Business Park 51 Summary 25 Diagram 14 – Carnforth Business Park 51 Figure 5 – Urban Area Site Summary Table 25 Other Rural Employment Locations 51 2.4 Carnforth and the Rural Areas 26 Willow Mill, Caton 51 Claughton Buffer Store 52 Small Sites 26 Hornby Industrial Estate 52 Large Sites 26 Cowan Bridge Industrial Estate 52 Housing Opportunity Sites 26 Glasson Dock 52 Carnforth 26 Galgate Silk Mill 52 Crag Bank East 26 Halton Mills 52 Diagram 5 – Crag Bank East 26 Lundsfield Quarry 26 Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into iii account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 Villages 84 3.3 Improving the District’s Farm Shops 84 Existing Employment Areas 54 The Loss of Rural Shops 85 White Cross, Lancaster 54 Food and Drink Uses Outside Town Centres 85 Caton Road, Lancaster 54 Retail Development in Mixed-Use Schemes 86 Luneside 54 The Loss of Rural Food and Drink Outlets 86 White Lund 54 3.6 Tourism and Royd Mill, Heysham 54 Major Industrial Estate and Commercial Leisure Development 88 Heysham Industrial Estate 55 Tourism in the Local Economy 88 Lancaster West Business Park 55 The Regeneration of Morecambe 88 The Port of Heysham 55 Tourism in Lancaster 89 Port of Heysham Industrial Estate 55 Tourism Opportunities Elsewhere in the District 89 Heysham Power Stations 55 Carnforth 89 Warton Road, Carnforth 55 Pine Lakes, Carnforth 90 Lodge Quarry, Carnforth 55 South Heysham 90 Scotland Road, Carnforth 56 Rural Tourism 90 Kellet Road, Carnforth 56 Major Tourism Development in Rural Areas 91 Millhead 56 Caravans 92 Carnforth Levels 56 4. TRANSPORT 96 Criteria for new Employment Development 56 Local Issues 57 4.1 Background 98 Halton Mills, Employment Opportunity Site 57 The Current Situation 98 Diagram 16 – Halton Mills 58 The Future 98 Non-Employment Development Figure 11 – Car Ownership, in Employment Areas 58 Great Britain, 1965 – 1989 98 South Heysham 59 Figure 12; Car Ownership, The Port of Heysham 59 Lancaster District 1981-1991 98 Glasson Dock 59 Figure 13 – Car Ownership Forecasts, Nightingale Hall Farm 60 Lancaster District, 1991-2006 98 Diagram 17 - Luneside 63 Figure 14 – Means of Travel to Work Luneside 63 in Lancaster District 1981-1991 99 Environmental Improvements 64 Figure 15 - Traffic Growth Business and Industrial Development in Lancaster Urban Area 1977 to 2006; 99 Outside Employment Areas 64 The City Council’s Transport Strategy 100 Non-Employment Development on Rural Employment Sites 65 4.2 The Heysham-M6 Link Road 102 3.4 The Office Sector 66 Diagram 20 – Routes being examined by Lancashire County Council f Office Development 66 or a Heysham-M6 LinkError! Bookmark not defined. Kingsway Site, Lancaster 66 4.3 Public Transport 106 3.5 Maintaining and Enhancing the Railways 106 District’s Shopping Centres 68 New Railway Stations 107 The District’s Retail Hierarchy 68 Movement of Freight by Rail 108 Figure 10 – Comparison Shopping Buses 108 in Lancaster and Morecambe (1998) 68 Diagram 21 - The Primary Bus Route 109 Retail Development on the Edge of or The Primary Bus Corridor 109 Outside Identified Centres 69 The Primary Bus Corridor Action Plan 110 Diagram 19 – Lancaster City Centre 71 Lancaster Bus Station 111 Lancaster City Centre Strategy 73 Park and Ride 111 New City Centre Development 74 Kingsway 111 The Brewery Site 74 Edge of Town Sites 112 Dalton Square/Penny Street 74 Providing for Buses in New Development 113 King Street/Aldcliffe Road 74 Carnforth and the Rural Areas 115 Lancaster City Centre - Primary Shopping Frontages 75 4.4 Managing Private Transport 116 Lancaster City Centre - Lancaster 116 Financial and Professional Service Uses 76 Church Street Pedestrianisation 116 Lancaster City Centre – Car Parking 117 Amusement Related Uses 77 Figure 16 – Off-Street Parking Provision i Lancaster City Centre – Food and Drink Uses 77 n Lancaster Centre 1996 117 Morecambe Town Centre 79 Managing Car Parking in Lancaster Centre 118 Diagram 19 – Morecambe Town Centre 79 Coach Parking 118 Morecambe Town Centre – Non-A1 Retail Uses 80 The Redevelopment of Morecambe Town Centre – Non -Residential Car Parking 119 Amusement related uses. Error! Bookmark not Parking Standards 119 defined. Non-residential Development in the Carnforth Town Centre 81 Lancaster Central Parking Area 120 Morecambe West End Local Centre 81 Residential Development and other proposals Local Centres 82 outside the Lancaster Central Parking Area 120 Torrisholme Local Centre 82 Monitoring 121 Prince’s Crescent Local Centre, Bare 82 On-street Parking 121 Heysham Road, Heysham 83 Parking in Residential Areas 121 Caton Local Centre 83 Green Travel Plans 121 Bolton-le-Sands 83 4.5 Morecambe 123 Small Local Shops 83

1. Introduction

SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT

Yealand Silverdale Whittington YORKSHIRE Redmayne DALES ARNSIDE / Tunstall NATIONAL SILVERDALE Yealand Conyers Priest PARK AREA OF Hutton OUTSTANDING Warton NATURAL Millhead Borwick A BEAUTY CARNFORTH Melling CRAVEN Over DISTRICT Kellet Gressingham Wennington Morecambe Bay and Lune Nether Hornby Estuary SSSI, Bolton- le - Kellet Sands SPA, cSAC and Wray Ramsar Site Hest Bank NORTH LANCASHIRE GREEN BELT Slyne Halton Brookhouse Caton FOREST OF BOWLAND MORECAMBE ARNSIDE / SILVERDALE AREA OF OUTSTANDING HEYSHAM NATURAL LANCASTER BEAUTY

Middleton

Overton

Glasson Galgate Dock

Dolphinholme

Cockerham

RIBBLE VALLEY DISTRICT

WYRE BOROUGH

Diagram 1; The Local Plan Area

1.1.1 Under the Town and Country green belts, out of town retailing, Planning Act 1990, Planning transport and nature conservation. Decisions in Lancaster District are guided by the Development Plan. Figure 1 – Population and Household This is made up at present of the Change

Lancashire Structure Plan and 1991 2006 Change more detailed Local Plans. The Private 47,490,000 50,029,000 +5.3% Development Plan is now the most Household important consideration when England Population and Wales Number of 19,215,000 21,897,000 +14% dealing with development Households Average 2.47 2.28 proposals. Household Size

The District Local Plan

North West Number of 2,156,000 2,399,000 +11.3% 1.1.2 This document is the District Local Region Households Plan. It is the first to cover the (Excluding Merseyside) whole District. It sets out where development should take place,

what form it should take and when it should occur. It covers the period Lancashire Private 1,375,553 1,435,959 +4.3 (including Household up to 2006. Blackpool Population and Number of 555,676 618,438 +11.2% Blackburn) Households Influences on the Local Average 2.48 2.32 Household Plan Size

Note; Assumes net migration gain to Lancashire in both 1.1.3 Many influences have helped to households and population, mainly from the Metropolitan shape the Local Plan. Through the Counties

Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Central Government has set Private Household 123,767 135,848 +9.7% the legal framework within which Population the plan must operate. This Number of 51,656 60,025 +16% Households requires the local plan generally to Average 2.40 2.26 accord with Regional Guidance and Lancaster Household District Size the Lancashire Structure Plan. Population including Central Government has also institutional published a substantial body of population 130,137 144,743 11.2% and term- national planning advice and time guidance. students

SOURCE; DETR HOUSEHOLD DATA STATISTICS HOUSEHOLD National Planning PROJECTIONS Guidance LANCASHIRE STRUCTURE PLAN 1998

1.1.4 Twenty four Planning Policy Regional Planning Guidance Notes (PPGs) have been prepared by Central Government. Guidance These notes prescribe the form and 1.1.5 Structure Plans and Local Plans are content of structure and local plans also influenced by Regional and give clear guidance on the Planning Guidance. Planning position Government appointed Guidance for the North West inspectors will take on matters such Region of England has been as development in the countryside, published by Government Office for the North West (GONW). This

Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 3 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 guidance provides contextual • Green Belt protection for the information in the form of population open land located to the south and household projections for of Carnforth and the north of England and the North West up to Lancaster and Morecambe. the year 2011. There is also a 1.1.7 Figure 1 shows how national and regional development strategy regional population growth and which shows how this growth will be declining household size will result shared between the metropolitan in an increased number of areas and counties of the North households during the plan period West. and how the Structure Plan forecasts that these changes will be The Lancashire Structure reflected in Lancashire and Plan Lancaster District in the period to 2006. 1.1.6 The Lancashire Structure Plan covers the period to 2006. It sets development targets for each of Neighbouring Authorities Lancashire’s 14 districts. The 1.1.8 The Council has also had to take Structure Plan assumes that the into account the plans and policies District’s population will continue to of neighbouring local authorities, in increase as a result of migration particular the Wyre, Ribble Valley, gains and that housing demand will Craven, Yorkshire Dales and South remain high as the population Lakeland Local Plans. grows and becomes younger and households become smaller. The main Structure Plan proposals for Other Council Policies Lancaster District for the Period 1.1.9 In addition to the Local Plan, the 1991-2006 are; Council has many other policies • a total population increase of and ongoing initiatives which have 14,606 from 130,137 to a bearing on future development in 144,743; the District. These fall into three broad categories; • a private household population increase of 12,081 from • Implementation, planning and 123,767 to 135,848; management strategies such as the Arnside/Silverdale and • a household increase of 8,369 Forest of Bowland Area of from 123,767 to 135,848; Outstanding Natural Beauty • a dwelling stock increase of Management Plans and the 8,300 from 52,218 to 60,518; Morecambe Bay Strategy; • a labour force increase of 7,802 • Regeneration initiatives such as from 58,222 to 66,024; the Carnforth Project, the Cycle Strategy, the Morecambe • an industrial and business land Centre Project, Morecambe requirement of 100 Ha; SRB, Middleton Wood, the Lune • a strategy of urban Riverside Millennium Project concentration that will protect and the Lancaster and the countryside and rural Morecambe Capital Challenge villages of north Lancashire proposals; from major development and • The Council’s commitment to direct the bulk of housing and Local Agenda 21 objectives business development to the which require development urban areas of Lancaster, needs to be met in a way which Morecambe and Heysham; and minimises the demand for travel, promotes sustainable Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 4 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 means of transport, maintains the present without compromising and enhances biodiversity, the ability of future generations to promotes renewable energy, meet their own needs. It will seek to protects natural resources and ensure that the policies and encourages the recycling of proposals of the Local Plan do not land and buildings. The Council cause unnecessary environmental has produced a separate damage or result in avoidable Environmental Appraisal of the problems at a later date. This does plan which illustrates how the not mean that there will be no plan meets these objectives. development in green fields but that the Council will seek to ensure that development is directed to locations The Environment which minimise adverse effects on the Environment. 1.1.10 Lancaster District is of considerable environmental importance and 1.1.13 The consideration given to supports some of the most diverse environmental issues is reflected in and richest wildlife habitats and the Council’s strategic vision for landscapes in the Country. Its Lancaster District. Development environmental resources include; proposals are complemented by detailed proposals to provide and • Morecambe Bay; one of protect urban and rural open space Britain's largest areas of and conserve countryside areas, wetland, a Wetland of wildlife habitats and rural buildings, International Importance under to manage land use change in rural the Ramsar Convention, an EC and urban areas and to guide the Special Protection Area and a form, style and appearance of new candidate EC Special Area of buildings. Conservation for Wild Birds; • The Arnside/Silverdale area, The Council’s Vision which contains numerous nature conservation sites, rare 1.1.14 The Council’s challenge is to meet limestone pavements and the needs and aspirations of the Leighton Moss which is also a community for homes, for jobs, for Ramsar Site and a Special Area vibrant and stable communities and of Conservation for Wild Birds; for a better quality of life particularly for disadvantaged groups whilst • The Forest of Bowland area protecting the quality of the which includes herb rich District’s environment and pastures and hay meadows and safeguarding its natural resources. the Bowland Fells Special The Plan meets this challenge by Protection Area, one of Britain's setting out policies for future land major areas of moorland and a use and development which seek to vital habitat for birds of prey ensure that all development is as including the hen harrier. sustainable as possible. 1.1.11 An overriding objective of the plan therefore is to protect and enhance 1.1.15 The Council’s vision is of a District: the environmental wealth of • which provides the best Lancaster District. possible quality of life for all its 1.1.12 This Local Plan has also been residents and seeks to reduce influenced by the need to protect disadvantage; the Environment from long-term • which meets the employment damage. The City Council supports needs and aspirations of its the concept of sustainable residents, provides existing development which is defined as employers with the confidence development that meet the needs of Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 5 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 to invest and is an attractive • a strategy of urban location for inward investment; concentration with a strong emphasis on the recycling of • which is easy, safe and brown-field urban sites which convenient to get around by directs 80% of new housing to bus, rail, on foot and by bicycle, the built-up areas of Lancaster, both for the able bodied and for Morecambe and Heysham and people with disabilities; 20% to Carnforth and the rural • where new development is of areas; the highest possible quality, • protection of the North reflects the District’s distinctive Lancashire Green Belt, the characteristics, respects the Arnside/Silverdale and Forest of principles of sustainable Bowland Areas of Outstanding development and enriches its Natural Beauty, the District’s cultural heritage; countryside and its nature • which recognises and respects conservation sites from its exceptional environmental development; quality and richness with a • directing development to commitment to protecting and locations along the Primary Bus enhancing the natural and built Corridor which links 48,000 environment; people with the District’s town • whose town and city centres are centres, major employment attractive, stimulating, vibrant, locations, its hospitals and its safe and convenient places to higher education institutions, live, work and visit at all times of and seeking to improve bus day; facilities along the corridor and make buses more competitive; • whose resort areas are given new life and purpose based on • protecting and enhancing the the unique nature conservation District’s town centres as interest of Morecambe Bay; locations for living, shopping and working by resisting further • whose areas of deprivation are out-of-town retail development, regenerated with new housing, encouraging residential open space and woodland; development in town centres • which protects the outstanding and improving the town centre quality of its rural and village environment wherever possible. landscapes and maximises access to the countryside for The Council's quiet recreation so that the Environmental Strategy countryside is valued by everyone; 1.1.17 There is a need to protect and enhance the environmental wealth • which reacts to changes in the of Lancaster District. The plan rural economy by retaining a reflects the following principles of living countryside where local sustainable development; people can live, shop and find employment;

The Council’s Development Strategy 1.1.16 The vision is reflected in the Local Plan Development Strategy which has five main elements:

• Provision for Play in New Housing;

• Lancaster South Development Brief; • Lancaster Moor Development Brief; • Kingsway Development Brief; • Luneside East Development Brief; • Bailrigg Business Park Development Brief; • Lancaster City Centre Strategy; • Shopfronts and Advertisements Design Guide; • Canal Corridor North Development Brief; • Canal Corridor South Development Brief; • Affordable Housing; • Morecambe Town Centre Strategy; • Residential Design Code; • Village Constraint Maps;

The Environmental Appraisal 1.1.27 The City Council has completed an Environmental Appraisal of the policies and strategy of the draft Plan. This has been published along with the deposit edition of the Local Plan. It explains how the plan complies with Central Government guidance on sustainable development and identifies where the Plan’s proposals are likely to have an impact on global environmental problems, on the conservation of non-renewable natural resources and on the quality of the local environment. Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 9 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008

2. Housing

This part of the Local Plan sets out how the District’s housing needs will be met in the years to 2006. The City Council aims to direct housing demand to previously developed sites, locate the bulk of new housing close to the Primary Bus Corridor and ensure that major new housing areas improve public transport and infrastructure difficulties.

Within the Plan Period (by 1st July 2006), the City Council proposes to;

• Make provision for general needs housing requirement set out in the Lancashire Structure Plan and demand generated by growth in student numbers at Lancaster University; • Ensure that around 80% of completions take place within or on the edge of the main urban area of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham;

• Apply a search sequence approach to the selection of new housing sites looking first at previously used land in sustainable locations; • Seek to ensure that more than 50% of residential completions over the plan period take place on previously developed land and buildings in sustainable locations;

• Ensure that new housing development takes place at densities which make efficient use of land particularly in locations with good public transport;

• Monitor housing need and

urban capacity and demand

during the plan period and

manage the supply of new housing land;

• Allow for around 125 dwellings per year to be constructed on small ‘windfall’ sites (of less than 0.4 ha) and conversions over the remainder of the plan period;

• Seek to ensure by negotiation

that up to 740 completed dwellings are affordable.

2.1.1 Population growth in Lancaster of existing previously used land District during the 1970s and 1980s and buildings in sustainable was accompanied by the locations to meeting housing construction of almost 8000 new needs; dwellings. For much of this 20 year • The development of targets for period, development was land recycling; concentrated within the broad boundaries of Lancaster, • A search sequence approach to Morecambe and Heysham. This the selection of sites looking approach helped to conserve the first at previously used sites and character and appearance of the buildings in sustainable rural villages and countryside of locations, then urban North Lancashire. It also extensions, then new encouraged the recycling of empty settlements in good transport buildings and previously developed, corridors; derelict and under-used land, especially in Lancaster. It resulted • The phasing of development to in the development of many infill prioritise previously used sites sites and the merging of Lancaster, in sustainable locations; Morecambe and Heysham into a • The development of minimum single, fairly compact urban area. density standards to ensure the Today, this single urban area efficient use of land. covers 20 square kilometres (8 square miles) and has 105,000 2.1.4 The phasing of development is residents during student term time. considered in Policy H1 whilst density is addressed in Policy H13. 2.1.2 As much new housing as possible will continue to be directed to 2.1.5 The Council anticipated many of ‘brownfield sites’. At the same time, these requirements. A thorough open land inside the urban areas appraisal of the potential of urban with amenity and recreation value sites was carried out at an early must be protected. This has made stage in the plan process. Despite a necessary the consideration of sites depleted supply of previously used on the edge of the urban area to land and buildings following a long meet the District’s housing needs. period of urban concentration, a number of housing opportunity sites were identified. These are New Residential considered in Policy H3 and Policy Development and Land H6. Many of these have now been Recycling developed or are the subject of development proposals at an 2.1.3 revised Planning Policy Guidance advanced stage. Some previously Note 3 on Housing was published in used sites are not in sustainable March 2000. This signalled several locations, are subject to serious major changes affecting planning development constraints or are for new housing development located in areas where employment including the introduction of a Plan land is in short supply. Monitor and Manage approach to new housing provision. The key 2.1.6 The next Lancashire Structure Plan changes introduced are: is expected to set district recycling targets. Draft Regional Planning • A requirement for local planning Guidance for the North West authorities to carry out regular proposes that for authorities outside Urban Capacity Studies to the Mersey Belt at least 50% of assess the potential contribution Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 12 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 completions should be provided on PLANNING PERMISSION FOR previously used land and buildings RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT between 1996 and 2021. ON LARGE GREEN-FIELD SITES OTHER THAN THOSE 2.1.7 It is anticipated however that ALLOCATED IN POLICIES H2-5 Housing Opportunity Sites, small WILL NOT BE GRANTED. sites and allocations on previously used land are able to contribute a PLANNING PERMISSION FOR minimum of 50% of completions RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT over the plan period. This is a ON OTHER LARGE SITES WILL minimum figure and the Council will ONLY BE GRANTED WHERE make every effort to ensure that a THESE HAVE BEEN higher figure is achieved, that the PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED AND: greatest possible use is made of previously developed land in ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO sustainable locations and that the JOBS, SHOPS AND SERVICES target is exceeded. BY MEANS OF TRANSPORT 2.1.8 The Council has identified sufficient OTHER THAN THE CAR; land to meet the housing requirement set out in the Structure ARE SERVED BY, OR PROVIDE Plan. There is therefore no FOR, REASONABLE PUBLIC justification for the release of TRANSPORT, HIGHWAYS, additional large green-field WATER AND SEWERAGE, allocations (of more than 0.4 ha or UTILITIES AND SOCIAL 12 dwellings) over the plan period. INFRASTRUCTURE;

2.1.9 Other major residential ARE NOT SUBJECT TO development proposals may be UNACCEPTABLE PHYSICAL permitted on previously used sites AND ENVIRONMENTAL where they are in sustainable CONSTRAINTS SUCH AS locations with access to jobs, SERIOUS CONTAMINATION, shops, services and leisure facilities UNSUITABLE GROUND and are not subject to unacceptable CONDITIONS AND FLOOD RISK; development constraints. AND

POLICY H1 SATISFY THE DETAILED CRITERIA SET OUT IN POLICIES THE COUNCIL WILL AIM TO H12, H13 AND H19 IN THE ENSURE THAT AT LEAST 50% URBAN AREA AND H7, H12 AND OF NEW DWELLINGS H13 IN RURAL SETTLEMENTS. COMPLETED DURING THE PLAN PERIOD ARE PROVIDED ON Note: Planning Permission for PREVIOUSLY DEVELOPED LAND residential development on small OR THROUGH THE sites will be considered against CONVERSION OF EXISTING Policies H7, H8, H11 and H19. BUILDINGS.

2.2.1 The Structure Plan requires the Figure 2 – Assumed Dwelling Contributions completion of 8300 dwellings by from Existing Sites at July 2000 July 2006. Of these, 500 were Figures are for assumed dwelling completions in the six specifically identified to meet needs year period mid-2000 to mid 2006 generated by ambitious expansion (Figures for July 1996 are shown in brackets) proposals being developed by

Lancaster University in the early to *Large sites **Small sites ***Allocations Total mid 1990s which have not with with in existing planning planning local plans subsequently come to fruition. permission permission Around 50 off campus student

equivalent dwellings have been South of 16 204 0 220 completed to date. Current River (211) (201) (0) (412) Lune projections from Lancaster

University indicate that a further 86 North of 428**** 204 120 752 student equivalent dwellings will be River (881*) (235) (410) (1526) Lune required by the end of the Plan period. Making separate provision Carnforth/ 32 342 0 374 for student accommodation leaves Rural (42) (310) (0) (352) a requirement of 7800. By mid

2000, 4424 general needs Total 476 750 120 1346 (1134) (746) (410) (2290) dwellings had already been completed. This leaves a requirement of 3376 general needs *The figures are for completions (actual or assumed) on sites that either already had consent at mid-1996 or dwellings. obtained consent in the period Mid-1996-Mid-2000. On some of these sites, completions will also have been 2.2.2 Many of these dwellings will be recorded in the period Mid 1991-Mid 1996. They exclude constructed on sites which already completions (actual or assumed) on sites that were identified in the Deposit Version of the Local Plan as new have planning permission or are housing allocations or housing opportunity sites. The identified in existing local plans. On residual capacity of sites identified in earlier local plans (H1 sites) that has not yet been converted to actual consents, is some of these sites house building shown in the third column. Where approval has been is already under way. Figure 2 obtained on H1 sites, the dwellings approved are recorded shows that in July 2000, 1316 in the first column.

dwellings could be constructed on **These small site figures are based on annual completion such sites in the Plan period. assumptions (6 years at 125 per year) and are not an account of extant planning consents.

***The only site left in this category is the Liptrott/Council- owned land at Regent Road Bridge, Westgate, Morecambe.

**** Assumes 300 completions at Mossgate. given by 50 dwellings over 6 years. The 1996 figure assumes 500 completions on the Mossgate site in the Local Plan period.

2.2.4 The Lancaster Local Plan identified a potential housing site at the Existing Commitments

southern end of the Lune Industrial Urban Area Carnforth/ Total Estate capable of accommodating Rural Area Large Sites 564 32 596 around 400 dwellings. A Small Sites 366 355 721 combination of ground contamination, the existence of Total 930 387 1317

industrial and commercial Additional Requirement businesses and poor road access Large Sites 1936 197 2133 meant that this proposal has not been implemented. These problems Small Sites 27 0 27

are unlikely to be resolved in the Total 1963 197 2160

plan period and Luneside is not TOTAL 2893 584 3477 therefore carried forward as a % 83% 17% 100% commitment in this local plan.

POLICY H2 Adjusted to mid-1998 to take account of new Housing Opportunity Site at Middleton Road, Heysham recommended by Inspector. THE FOLLOWING SITES IDENTIFIED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP AND ALLOCATED FOR HOUSING IN PREVIOUS LOCAL PLANS ARE RE-ALLOCATED AS HOUSING SITES

Capacity Completions by 2006 MORECAMBE ROAD 200 200 WESTGATE 200 200

TOTAL 400 400

• identifying the redevelopment potential of brown field areas by the identification of Housing Opportunity Sites; • continuing to encourage development on small sites and the conversion of existing buildings; and • allocating areas for residential development. 2.2.7 Figure 4 summarises the strategy for meeting the Structure Plan requirement. The land allocations and planning policies arising from this strategy are set out for the main urban area of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham and then for Carnforth and the Rural Areas. Figure 4 – Components of Housing Supply

REQUIREMENT Mid 1996 Deposit Update to mid Update to Student Update to Plan 1998 mid 2000 Housing mid - 2000 Structure Plan Requirement 1996- 7800 7800 7800 136 7936 2006 Completions 2646 3628 4424 50 4474

Residual Requirement 5154 4672 3376 3462 Existing Permissions on Large Sites 1134 793 476 476 Small sites at 25% of Requirement 1280 1024 750 750

Existing Allocations Retained 410 120 120 120 New Urban Allocations 1300 1242 1242 1242

Urban Housing Opportunity Sites 915 666 688 688 Additional Housing Opportunity Site - 45 45 45 recommended by the Inspector Rural Allocations 205 159 109 109 Rural Housing Opportunity Sites 100 60 88 88 TOTAL 5344 4678 3834 3515

Note) The Figures in Figure 4 (above) include an allowance for completions on land at Whinney Carr/Lawson’s Bridge. Planning permission for the development of this site was refused by the Secretary of State in March 2003.

2.3.1 In Lancaster, Morecambe and Former Poulton Market, Heysham, the contribution from brownfield sites will be maximised Morecambe by encouraging the development of 2.3.4 The relocation of Poulton Market in Housing Opportunity Sites and 1996 created a vacant site of 0.8 other suitable redevelopment sites ha. A Development Brief has been and by controlling the release of prepared for the redevelopment of green-field sites. this site for housing and open space. The market occupied the Housing Opportunity site of Poulton Hall, a medieval Sites manor house, and archaeological investigations have been 2.3.2 Housing Opportunity Sites are undertaken. A new open space and brownfield sites within existing play area have been created. The urban areas with housing site has capacity for 34 houses. development potential which are; The site lies within the Poulton Renewal Area. • derelict, under-used or vacant; or Venture Caravan Park, • likely to become available Morecambe because of the cessation or relocation of an existing use; 2.3.5 The 6.4 ha Venture Caravan Site is and level, on a major bus route and forms a natural continuation of the • located in areas where established Westgate area. redevelopment would bring Development could significantly environmental benefits; improve the appearance of the 2.3.3 Some of these sites require the area, particularly if it were to involve relocation of existing uses, site the removal of the prominent gas clearance and preparation. Some holder on the site. The site could could also provide student accommodate around 150 houses accommodation should the need but its development within the Plan arise. They are, therefore, not period would require the cessation formally allocated as housing sites of the existing use. under Policy H4. The allocation of land as a Housing Opportunity Site Summerville Caravan under Policy H3 is intended to Park, Morecambe identify that housing is seen by the Council as the best and most 2.3.6 This small 0.5 ha caravan site off efficient use of the site. It is Acre Moss Lane, Morecambe lies intended that this policy should within a residential area and would preclude neither other appropriate form a natural infill site for around uses nor the continuation of existing 40 houses. lawful uses. Given the greater uncertainty over the rate at which 2.3.7 The above three sites were opportunity sites will come forward, identified in the Morecambe and it is assumed that 688 general Heysham Local Plan. The following needs dwellings will be built on are new sites. these sites during the plan period. These sites are described below.

2.3.19 The former K Shoes factory in Bulk St George’s Quay Road, Lancaster occupies a site of 2.3.15 This 0.7 ha site is located 0.7 ha. The Council has a long immediately to the east of Carlisle standing aim of improving Bridge on St George’s Quay. Its environmental conditions in this redevelopment offers the area by reducing the impact of opportunity for a high density flat traffic and promoting new housing development of around 40 units. development. The site could Development is already under way accommodate around 40 dwellings. on part of the site. Nightingale Hall Farm Luneside East 2.3.20 The environmental problems 2.3.16 The largely derelict Luneside East associated with the animal site is adjacent to the St George’s rendering plant at Nightingale Hall Quay area on the west side of Farm are considered under Policy Carlisle Bridge. Although the site is EC12. In the event of the plant constrained by existing poor quality being successfully relocated, the site could be redeveloped for Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 19 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 housing. Some areas adjacent to accommodated during the plan the site could also be included period. The Action Plan will be within a comprehensive residential prepared as a matter of priority and development. The site could create will be subject to a detailed process a 5.1 ha development site, which of public consultation. could accommodate around 165 houses but its development within Car Free Housing the Plan period would require the cessation of the existing use. 2.3.24 On Housing Opportunity Sites and conversions there may be scope to Stonewell, Lancaster introduce housing which does not have any dedicated car parking. In 2.3.21 In the vicinity of the Mitchell’s such cases the Council will bottling plant at Stonewell, there are consider higher densities where a number of vacant and under-used agreement is reached with buildings and plots of land. The developers that all future occupiers possible closure of the bottling plant will sign an undertaking not to own offers the opportunity to plan for the a car. In all cases normal comprehensive redevelopment of standards of privacy and the quality this central site for high density of layout and, where appropriate, housing with minimal car parking. external landscaping, must be Redevelopment should also allow retained. for dwellings created by the conversion of the upper floors of POLICY H3 adjacent shops to be integrated into the overall scheme for the area THE FOLLOWING SITES (Policy H20). Around 70 new IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL dwellings could be created on this PLAN PROPOSALS MAP ARE 0.4 ha site in addition to any upper ALLOCATED AS HOUSING floor conversions. OPPORTUNITY SITES:

Capacity Completions Ha Density Lancaster Central Canal Before 2006 (net)

Corridor Former Poulton Market, Morecambe 34 34 0.67 50.7 2.3.22 The proposal in the Lancaster Local Venture Plan for a City Centre Access Road Caravan Pk, Morecambe *# 150 0 6.52 NA is not carried forward in this Local Summerville Caravan Park, Plan. This means that a Morecambe 40 40 0.47 85.1 comprehensive re-assessment of Oxcliffe Road, Morecambe 65 0 2.05 31.7 the future use of land previously White Lund Rd, reserved for the road is needed. Morecambe 20 20 0.79 25.3 Heysham Road Although the area must continue to Depots, provide shopper car parking, there Heysham 40 40 1.14 35.1 Middleton Road, are opportunities to create new Heysham 45 45 1.50 30.0 Lancaster Moor housing, particularly on areas North *## 220-400 0 12.2 25.4 created by the relocation of King St, Lancaster 50 50 0.81 61.7 temporary uses. Former Pye’s Feedmill, 2.3.23 An action plan will be prepared to Lancaster 139 139 1.03 134.9 St George’s Quay, determine future land uses in the Lancaster 75 75 0.69 108.7 area. Until this is completed, there Luneside East, Lancaster** 203-300 150 3.4 56-81 will inevitably be uncertainty over Bulk Road, Lancaster 40 40 0.6 66.7 the number of dwellings which the Nightingale Hall area could accommodate. It is Fm, Lancaster* 165 0 4.9 33.7 Stonewell, however reasonable to assume that Lancaster 70 70 0.46 152.2 around 120 dwellings could be Lancaster Central

# It is not anticipated that the whole of the 2.3.28 A further consideration is the Venture Caravan Site will be developed distribution of existing housing ## Lancaster Moor contains high quality parkland and a Listed Building. commitments shown in Figure 2. At ** Development of the large site at Luneside present, development is East is also likely to continue beyond the concentrated north of the River plan period. Note) The sites marked with an asterisk (*) are Lune. To redress this imbalance, unlikely to be developed within the Plan more new housing is directed to period. These have a total capacity of 600- 780 units. locations south of the river where most of the District’s shopping, Green-field Development health and education services are concentrated. 2.3.25 On the basis of past take-up it is assumed that around 688 dwellings will be completed on Housing The Royal Albert area Opportunity Sites in the main urban 2.3.29 The area which best meets this area and that around 25 % of development strategy is the south completions will take place on small west side of Lancaster. Major sites of less than 0.4 ha. This change here is inevitable following means that the Local Plan must the closure of the Royal Albert identify land for around 1250 Hospital. This area is close to the dwellings on new green-field sites City’s commercial, retail, health and in the main urban area (see Figure education facilities and has direct 4). access to Lancaster centre along Note the Lancaster Canal Towpath and Ashton Road. These figures include an allowance for completions on land at Whinney Carr/Lawson’s Bridge. Planning permission 2.3.30 A new residential area is allocated for the development of this site was refused in south Lancaster. The Royal by the Secretary of State in March 2003. Albert area extends to nearly 24.5 hectares (gross) and 12.5 ha (net 2.3.26 The Local Plan strategy is to developable area). The former provide as many households as hospital building is excluded from possible with practical alternatives the allocation; to the motor car for normal daily journeys. Locations are therefore 2.3.31 The requirements for roads, open favoured which; spaces and development mix are set out in more detail in the • offer the potential for mixed following paragraphs. However development including development in south west employment uses; Lancaster is constrained by poor • are convenient for the primary road links to the A6 via Ashford bus corridor; and Road and by width limitations on Ashton Road. Developers will also • are accessible to the centre of be expected to prepare traffic Lancaster where there is a management measures to improve concentration of job pedestrian safety on Ashford Road opportunities and commercial, and Ashton Road and demonstrate education and hospital services. how the area will link into the 2.3.27 Other considerations include the Primary Bus Corridor (see Policy potential to accommodate further T5). growth beyond the year 2006 and 2.3.32 The Royal Albert area offers the the strategic benefits that housing potential for a mixture of housing development could bring in terms of styles and types including high opening up land for business Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 21 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 quality low-density housing similar and cricket ground and its to that on the nearby Haverbreaks surroundings are important amenity Estate. The site also contains a features and will be protected from number of Health Authority development. buildings which are suitable for conversion or redevelopment. The 2.3.33 In total the Royal Albert area could area is enclosed within a large accommodate around 350 green space which runs between dwellings. the existing Haverbreaks area and the Lancaster Canal. On the east side of Ashton Road, the football

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V L LP V County Biological C V

P V A LL A V V Heritage Site E

V A E P Sports and Social L E E L P C L L LC P Club P P PL N E P E L V G A V © Crown copyright.

V C Note) The full planning permissions identified V All rights reserved. P E E L on the plan include provision for the transfer of L P Lancaster City Council P L land identified as Urban Greenspace to the Local

L Licence No. LA 078379 A A E L AuthorityG 2002. P V PL E V from the Ordnance Survey map w ith the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office (C) Crow

Diagram 2 – Lancaster Moor Hospital

Housing Allocation

Housing Opportunity N Site

Diagram 3 – Westgate South

2.3.45 Although most of the new allocations have been directed to sites south of the River Lune, there is a need to continue to provide a range of sites throughout the main urban area. In the Westgate/ Oxcliffe Road area there is an ongoing policy of encouraging land © Crown copyright. All rights N use change through the reserved. Lancaster City Council Licence No. LA identification of housing allocations 078379 2002. and opportunity sites. At the rear of

the Regent Caravan Park, land has been held by the site owner for an Diagram 4 – Derwent Road extension of the caravan park. This extension will not now take place 2.3.47 To the north east of Derwent Road, and the land is available for at the rear of Keswick Road, there residential development. is a 1.2 ha site which is overgrown and does not have any significant 2.3.46 As this land is in several different amenity value. There is currently no ownerships, developers of formal public access to the land. It individual areas will be expected to could be developed to provide a demonstrate that their plans will mixture of housing, woodland and contribute to the comprehensive public open space. The site could development of the entire area. accommodate around 40 dwellings. Developers should also ensure adequate footpath links to Westgate and investigate the possibility of constructing a pedestrian rail crossing to the schools and main bus route. Houses should be designed and located to minimise noise from the railway line which could see a significant increase in

Figure 5 – Urban Area Site Summary Table

Site Gross Net Housing Comple- Site Area Area tions to 2006 Royal Albert 24.5 ha 12.5 ha 350

Lancaster Moor 7.3 ha 6.8 ha 240 South

Derwent Road 2.3 ha 1.2 ha 40

Westgate South 5.5 ha 5.0 ha 175

TOTAL 39.6 ha 25.5 ha 765

2.3.49 Development in these locations will not only help satisfy the housing needs of the District’s growing population but also bring significant community benefits. Housing development in these locations is therefore put forward as a formal proposal of the Local Plan. POLICY H4

THE FOLLOWING SITES IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP ARE ALLOCATED FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT;

No ROYAL ALBERT 350 LANCASTER MOOR (SOUTH) 240 DERWENT ROAD 40 WESTGATE SOUTH 175

2.4 Carnforth and the Rural Areas

2.4.1 New housing in Carnforth and the forward, it is assumed that 60 rural areas is expected to account general needs dwellings will be built for around 20% of the total District on these sites over the plan period. requirement. After completions between 1991 and 1996 are taken Carnforth into account, this amounts to 575 additional dwellings (see Figure 3). 2.4.5 Carnforth is a successful rural shopping and service centre for the Small Sites northern part of the District. It is also a popular residential area. It is 2.4.2 Many of these dwellings will intended that this role will be continue to be provided on small maintained and strengthened by infill sites. Small infill development protecting the existing retail centre can help to meet the housing needs and encouraging modest growth in of rural settlements without harming housing and employment. the character of the area. In recognition of this, it is assumed Crag Bank East that around half of the requirement will be met on small sites or by conversions (of buildings not required to meet local employment needs), around 580 dwellings between 1996 and 2006. Around 270 of these will be new permissions.

Large Sites 2.4.3 Of the remaining 505 dwellings which are required, it is assumed that 199 will be provided on new residential allocations in Carnforth, N © Crown copyright. All rights Bolton-le-Sands and Galgate. reserved. Lancaster City Council Licence No. LA 078379 2002. Housing Opportunity Sites 2.4.4 Some of these sites require the Diagram 5 – Crag Bank East relocation of existing uses, site clearance and preparation. They 2.4.6 A 2.3 ha site has been allocated are therefore not formally allocated north of Redruth Drive in Carnforth. as housing sites under Policy H5. This site was previously reserved The allocation of land as a Housing for school use but is no longer Opportunity Site under Policy H6 is required by the County Council. intended to identify that housing is The site is suitable for development seen by the Council as the best and and would represent the natural most efficient use of the site. It is completion of the Crag Bank intended that this policy should development. It is close to neither preclude other appropriate Carnforth Town Centre and has uses, nor the continuation of good public transport and existing lawful uses. Given the pedestrian links. Development greater uncertainty over the rate at could provide some new public which opportunity sites come open space and better road links to Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 26 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 the A6. The site could site will only be permitted where accommodate 45 houses. there has been a comprehensive analysis of the nature conservation Lundsfield Quarry importance of the site and measures to safeguard the most important areas are included within the development package. The site is estimated to have a capacity of North 150 to 225 dwellings although this Oxford Road may vary depending on the nature Street Coal conservation interest. Builder’s Yard Yard North Road Coal Yard, Carnforth 2.4.9 The 1.3 ha North Road Coal Yard is also identified as a Housing Opportunity Site. It lies immediately adjacent to several residential properties. It adjoins the Lancaster Lundsfield Canal and a children’s playground. Quarry There would be significant benefits in relocating the coal yard to another site and, if this were to occur, the site would be a suitable © Crown copyright. All rights N location for new housing. The site reserved. Lancaster City could accommodate around 40 Council Licence No. LA 078379 2002. dwellings.

Oxford Street Builder’s Diagram 6 – Carnforth Housing Yard, Carnforth Opportunity Sites 2.4.10 A third Housing Opportunity Site in 2.4.7 The former Lundsfield Quarry is Carnforth is identified at the 0.4 ha identified as a Housing Opportunity Oxford Street builder’s yard. This is Site. This is a large (14 ha) derelict a backland site lying between site which has been largely unused terraced houses on Hill Street and for many years. It contains a North Road Primary School. It is County Biological Heritage Site accessed by narrow residential (see Policy E17), a boat yard and a roads and has a short frontage onto factory manufacturing concrete the Lancaster Canal. products and is also used for the Redevelopment for housing could storage of former military vehicles. have local environmental benefits. It It is in a number of different could accommodate around 20 ownerships. Parts of the site have dwellings. been subjected to tipping in the past. There are also substantial changes in level within the site. 2.4.8 An imaginative residential development on this site could enhance the canalside, provide new open space and provide new pedestrian and cycle links between the Highfield Estate, the A6 and the Town Centre. Development of the

© Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Lancaster City Council Licence No. LA 078379 © Crown copyright. Diagram 7 – Hornby Road, Caton All rights reserved. Lancaster City N Hornby Road Caton Council Licence No. LA 078379 2002. 2.4.11 Caton is the main centre for the Lune Valley. There is some Diagram 9 – Galgate Silk Mill evidence of local housing need in the village particularly from young Silk Mill, Galgate and elderly people. To help meet these needs, the County Council 2.4.13 The Silk Mill site represents a depot and adjoining land are rounding off of this part of the identified as a 1.6 ha Housing village. Development has been Opportunity Site. A comprehensive made possible by improvements to scheme of residential development the local drainage system and would be allowed if the depot were connecting roads to the A6. As to be relocated. This site is close to development of this site has been the centre of Caton and convenient anticipated for some time, Phase 1 for the local bus service and village has been granted planning shops and services and could permission and construction is accommodate around 50 dwellings. under way. In total this site could accommodate 104 dwellings.

No Completions to 2006 N CRAG BANK EAST, CARNFORTH 45 45 SILK MILL, GALGATE 104 104 Diagram 8 – Coastal Road, Bolton-le- COASTAL ROAD, Sands BOLTON-LE- Coastal Road, Bolton-le-Sands SANDS 50 50

2.4.12 The Coastal Road site in Bolton-le- TOTAL 199 199 Sands is located on Coastal Road

POLICY H6 2.4.15 Existing buildings within rural settlements are important in THE FOLLOWING SITES ON THE providing affordable employment LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP premises in communities where ARE ALLOCATED AS HOUSING competition for sites and premises OPPORTUNITY SITES; is high and new development is severely constrained. The existing Capacity and potential importance of buildings in rural settlements to LUNDSFIELD, rural communities must be taken CARNFORTH 100-150 into account in considering NORTH ROAD proposals for their re-use. COAL YARD, CARNFORTH 40 2.4.16 When converting existing buildings, OXFORD ST developers should take special care BUILDER’S YARD, to avoid disturbance to bats or other CARNFORTH 20 protected species which may be HORNBY ROAD nesting in the building. Policy E18 CATON 50 sets out how development proposals affecting protected DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ON species will be dealt with. ANY OF THESE SITES MUST 2.4.17 Within some settlements the MAKE ADEQUATE PROVISION disposal of sewage and waste FOR THE DISPOSAL OF water can pose problems. In Nether SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER Kellet, Over Kellet, Cockerham and

Note) the sites at Lundsfield Glasson Dock the existing Quarry and Hornby Road, sewerage systems are approaching Caton are development opportunities which are capacity. Arkholme, Melling, Priest unlikely to be developed Hutton, Yealand Redmayne and before 2006 Yealand Conyers have no public

foul water drainage system and Housing in Villages consideration of first time rural sewerage systems will be 2.4.14 In recent years, housing necessary. Silverdale suffers from development on small sites in excessive sewage effluent villages has contributed a steady discharges via septic tanks. Here supply of new dwellings. Such sites discharges to soakaway systems are likely to continue to come from new developments must be forward through land-ownership subject to biological treatment, changes, redevelopment and ultra-violet disinfection and tertiary changes of use throughout the plan polishing and filtration. period. These will continue to be approved on suitable small sites within the villages listed in Policy H7 provided that acceptable standards of design, amenity and road safety are acceptable. Particular attention will be given to the environmental impact of proposals located within Areas of

WOULD NOT HAVE A PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE SUITABLE SMALL SCHEMES EFFECT ON THE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO CHARACTER OF THE MEET RURAL HOUSING NEEDS. SETTLEMENT, SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE, OR THE AMENITIES OF NEARBY RESIDENTS;

WOULD NOT RESULT IN THE LOSS OF AN IMPORTANT OPEN AREA;

MAKES SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCESS, SERVICING, CYCLE AND CAR PARKING: AND

MAKES ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER

Arkholme Borwick Bolton-le-Sands (outside Green Belt) Brookhouse Caton Cowan Bridge Dolphinholme Galgate Glasson Dock Gressingham Halton Hest Bank (outside Green Belt) Hornby Melling Middleton Millhead Nether Kellet Over Kellet Overton Priest Hutton Slyne (outside Green Belt) Silverdale Tunstall Warton Wennington Whittington Wray Yealand Yealand Conyers Redmayne

PROPOSALS FOR THE REMOVAL OF AGRICULTURAL OR OTHER KEY WORKER OCCUPANCY CONDITIONS FROM DWELLINGS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

EXCEPTIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED WHERE IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE DWELLING IS NOT REQUIRED TO MEET THE EXISTING AND FUTURE NEEDS OF ANY AGRICULTURAL OR FORESTRY ENTERPRISE IN THE LOCALITY FOR KEY WORKER HOUSING.

assessment was based on the Affordable Housing Council’s 1996 Housing Needs 2.4.24 Affordable housing is housing (both Study. A further study carried out in low-cost market housing and 1999 confirmed that the overall subsidised housing) which is need for affordable housing accessible to people whose income identified in the earlier study does not enable them to afford to remains at a similar level. The buy or rent housing appropriate to Council will also negotiate with their needs on the open market. It developers a reasonable includes low cost housing for rent, component on other sites in shared ownership housing and low Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham cost housing for sale with an Carnforth or Bolton-le-Sands of 1.0 element of subsidy. Low cost ha or more or containing 25 or more housing for sale provided at market dwellings. In settlements within the price is not defined as affordable rural area with a population of 3000 housing within the meaning of or fewer, it will negotiate a Policy H10. reasonable component on sites of 0.4 ha or more, or which contain 10 2.4.25 What constitutes affordable housing or more dwellings. What constitutes will change over time with changes a reasonable amount will depend in average earnings, demographic upon; change, household structure, changes in the local economy, • progress made in providing changes in the owner occupied and affordable housing in the District rented housing markets and supply as a whole; and demand for new housing. It • demand for, and supply of, may also vary within the district affordable housing in the between town and country and locality; between different settlements. The • other planning, economic and Council keeps the District's material considerations relating affordable housing needs to the site; and constantly under review and • the local housing market regularly reviews the detailed 2.4.27 When considering where affordable definition of affordable housing. housing should be located within a The Council reviews housing needs residential layout, developers annually through its Housing should allow for residents to have Investment Programme and good access to public transport and considers affordability issues during other local services. However to this process. Rural settlements are encourage social integration, defined in the Rural Gazetteer. developers should avoid both the Affordable housing proposals in over-concentration of affordable rural areas raise special issues due houses in one part of the site and to the limited supply of sites. the physical separation of affordable houses from open 2.4.26 To help meet affordable housing market houses. needs, the Council will negotiate with developers the inclusion of up 2.4.28 Developers should also be aware to a 20% affordable housing that the affordable contribution component on the main housing expected from each site is a sites identified in the Local Plan. An discrete target and cannot be assessment of how this figure was discounted or traded against determined is illustrated in a affordable housing completions on summary table in Appendix 5. This other sites. For example, should a

then the developer of another site THE COUNCIL WILL SEEK THE listed in Policy H10 where COMPLETION OF AROUND 740 affordable dwellings are required, AFFORDABLE DWELLINGS cannot seek a compensatory WITHIN THE LOCAL PLAN reduction in the affordable housing PERIOD. ON THE FOLLOWING expectation from that site. However SITES, THE COUNCIL WILL, this does not preclude developers THROUGH NEGOTIATION, SEEK from the off-site provision of TO ENSURE THAT UP TO 20% affordable dwellings to discharge an OF COMPLETIONS ARE affordable housing requirement. AFFORDABLE 2.4.29 Affordable housing may be SITE AREA CAPACITY COMPLETIONS provided either by a Registered (Ha) (Dwellings) BY 2006 Social Landlord (RSL) or through ROYAL the provision of discounted homes ALBERT 12.5 350 350 WESTGATE for sale. Where provision is not by a SOUTH 5.0 175 175 Registered Social Landlord, the LANCASTER MOOR NORTH* 12.2 220-400 0 provision and future control of LUNESIDE occupancy of such housing will EAST 3.4 203-300 150 LUNDSFIELD * 14.0 100-150 0 normally be achieved by means of PYE'S an agreement under Section 106 of FEEDMILL 1.0 139 139 the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. ON OTHER SITES IN LANCASTER, MORECAMBE, 2.4.30 In the urban part of the District, it HEYSHAM CARNFORTH AND will be necessary to demonstrate BOLTON-LE-SANDS OF 1.0 HA that household income is OR MORE, OR WHICH CONTAIN insufficient to purchase a home 25 OR MORE DWELLINGS; AND appropriate to their needs on the open market and that at least one IN SETTLEMENTS WITHIN THE member of the household has been RURAL AREA WITH A resident in Lancaster District for a POPULATION OF 3000 OR period of ten or more years or FEWER ON SITES OF 0.4 HA OR MORE, OR WHICH CONTAIN 10 • has commenced (within one OR MORE DWELLINGS; year of the date of application) or been offered a full time THE COUNCIL WILL, THROUGH permanent job within Lancaster NEGOTIATION, SEEK TO District with the stated intention ENSURE THAT A REASONABLE of remaining in the position for NUMBER OF COMPLETIONS the foreseeable future; or ARE AFFORDABLE. • wishes to take up residency in Lancaster District to formally act DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT BE as a carer for an elderly or PERMITTED WHERE THE infirm relative who is a resident DEVELOPER IS UNWILLING TO of Lancaster District; or INCLUDE A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE • Can satisfy Lancaster City HOUSING WITHOUT GOOD Council and/or a registered REASON. social landlord of a justifiable need to live in Lancaster District for reasons not foreseen above

2.4.33 Exceptions development of this EXCEPTIONALLY THE COUNCIL nature will only normally be MAY PERMIT PROPOSALS FOR permitted on small sites. Care must AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON be taken to ensure that the housing SMALL SITES OF LESS THAN 0.4 is well integrated in terms of scale, HA IN THE RURAL AREA WHICH location, design and materials. WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE Proposals for affordable housing RELEASED FOR HOUSING must also be weighed against PROVIDED THAT; policies on landscape and nature conservation. These considerations THE APPLICANT CAN will be particularly important within SATISFY THE LOCAL Areas of Outstanding Natural PLANNING AUTHORITY THAT Beauty. THE PROPOSAL MEETS A SPECIFIC AND PROVEN 2.4.34 Although specific local needs will LOCAL NEED; vary between settlements, in Section 106 Agreements relating to THERE ARE NO OTHER affordable housing, the Council will SUITABLE SITES OR MEANS normally use the following definition BY WHICH THE NEED CAN of local need; BE MET; AND

Housing required for residents, or THE PROPOSED DWELLINGS persons with close family REMAIN RESTRICTED TO associations of the parish within LOCAL OCCUPANCY IN which the development is located or PERPETUITY; AND neighbouring rural parishes to

• establish a household as an THE SITE IS WITHIN OR only or principal home; or ADJOINING A SETTLEMENT • take up employment; or LISTED IN POLICY H7 AND THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT;

IS APPROPRIATE TO ITS SURROUNDINGS AND THE SETTLEMENT IN TERMS OF SITING, SCALE, DESIGN, MATERIALS, EXTERNAL APPEARANCE AND LANDSCAPING; AND

WOULD NOT RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER OF THE SETTLEMENT, THE AMENITIES OF RESIDENTS, THE RURAL LANDSCAPE, OR NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS; AND

WOULD NOT RESULT IN THE LOSS OF OPEN SPACE WITH PUBLIC AMENITY OR RECREATIONAL IMPORTANCE.

2.5.1 Lancaster District is notable for the safeguarded and incorporated into quality and strongly defined new housing areas. character of its buildings and settlements often set in outstanding 2.5.5 New development should achieve countryside. The District has some high standards of space, amenity 1300 listed buildings and 37 and privacy. The layout, design and conservation areas. New landscape treatment of open areas development must respect this is as important as the design of inheritance and reflect local building buildings. Consideration should traditions and designs if this also be given to creating a secure distinctive identity is to be living environment consistent with maintained. New housing, whether DoE (now DTLR) Circular 5/94 and in town or country, must respect the the police manual ‘Secured by characteristics of its site and the Design’. character and setting of its 2.5.6 The layout, design and landscaping immediate locality. It must also of new housing areas should, as far meet peoples’ demands for space, as possible, buffer new housing privacy and amenity. from significant noise sources. Noise reduction measures should Layout, Design and the be included within building designs Use of Materials if needed. Noise reduction surveys may need to be carried out by 2.5.2 The layout and design of new professional consultants. housing should take full account of the character and setting of the site 2.5.7 Traditional buildings of all ages and its surroundings, of its visual throughout the District follow a impact in and around the site, of distinctive local design tradition with views from the site and the potential a unity and simplicity of design to enhance these. which reflects domestic scale and function. Elements of traditional 2.5.3 New development should be buildings have, in many cases, integrated into its local setting and been reflected in 20th Century the site’s topography. The scale, development. As a result, many massing, style and proportions of settlements have retained a buildings should relate closely to distinctive local identity. Differences those of any adjacent buildings or between settlements stem mainly groups of buildings. from the use of local building 2.5.4 At an early stage, developers materials. should carry out a landscape 2.5.8 There are now many examples of appraisal of potential development high quality modern developments sites and their surroundings to which respect local building identify constraints and traditions. It is important that this opportunities. Where necessary, process is encouraged and that developers will be expected to carry future development respects and out detailed assessments to reinforces local identity. To assist in establish the importance of features this, a Residential Design Code has of nature conservation or been produced as Supplementary archaeological interest. Where Planning Guidance to the Local possible, existing natural features Plan. The Code covers building such as open hilltops, small layout and design, building woodlands, trees, hedgerows, materials, the layout of open space ponds and watercourses should be

THE DISTINCTIVE LOCAL PROPOSALS FOR HOUSING IDENTITY OF, THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND SURROUNDINGS. CONVERSIONS WILL ONLY BE

PERMITTED WHERE THE THE QUALITIES OF AN COUNCIL IS SATISFIED THAT OUTSTANDING SCHEME MAY FULL REGARD HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY JUSTIFY A TAKEN OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY DESIGN WHICH DOES NOT AND WASTE REDUCTION AND RETAIN OR REINFORCE LOCAL RECYCLING CONSIDERATIONS. DISTINCTIVENESS. THE MERITS

OF THIS MUST BE PRESENTED NEW RESIDENTIAL IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT DEVELOPMENT WITH A NET WHICH ACCOMPANIES THE DENSITY OF LESS THAN 30 PLANNING APPLICATION. DWELLINGS PER HECTARE Sustainable Living WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

2.5.9 Environmental considerations have IN CENTRAL LANCASTER AND directed new housing to areas close ON OTHER URBAN SITES WITH to main town centres or the Primary GOOD PUBLIC TRANSPORT Bus Corridor to encourage less use AND PROXIMITY TO of private transport. Encouraging EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES and enabling people to live in a AND SERVICES THE COUNCIL more environmentally friendly way WILL SEEK DENSITIES OF MORE also requires a new approach to the THAN 50 DWELLINGS PER layout and design of new housing HECTARE areas and conversions so that the development process and future householders use fewer non- renewable natural resources, maximise energy efficiency and facilitate domestic recycling. 2.5.10 New developments should;

• Maximise sunlight penetration into buildings and gardens; • Maximise the ground surface areas capable of natural drainage and provide water butts for most new homes; • Provide sufficient external space and facilities for domestic

Upgrading will be encouraged Student Accommodation where there is a clear commitment 2.6.1 Large scale expansion plans at to improving the local environment, Lancaster University during the residential amenity and space early 1990s have not come to standards. Site extensions will only fruition and growth in student be permitted as part of a numbers on the scale predicted has comprehensive programme of not now materialised. In the event improvements. of developments at Lancaster POLICY H14 University and other higher and further education institutions giving PROPOSALS TO EXTEND rise to a need for additional off RESIDENTIAL CARAVAN PARKS campus student accommodation WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED during the plan period, student WHERE: housing will be directed to surplus

capacity on Housing Opportunity HIGHER STANDARDS OF Sites such as Luneside East and EXTERNAL SPACE, adjoining land and other small sites ACCOMMODATION AND SITE or existing buildings in Central ENVIRONMENT WIL BE Lancaster. In considering proposals ACHIEVED; AND for off campus student

accommodation, the impact on THERE WOULD BE NO surrounding residents will be a key SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE factor which will be taken into IMPACT ON NEIGHBOURING account. PROPERTIES. THE CITY COUNCIL WILL, IN Gypsies CONJUNCTION WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION BODIES, 2.6.4 Lancaster District has a long MONITOR THE DEMAND FOR association with gypsies. The OFF CAMPUS STUDENT District is a popular location for HOUSING AND WILL DIRECT gypsy families to make their home DEMAND TO CITY CENTRE AND and is also regularly used as a EDGE OF TOWN CENTRE SITES short term halt for transient gypsies. AND BUILDINGS IN LANCASTER This popularity has led to problems in the past with a shortage of sites Residential Caravans and resulting in illegal encampments Park Homes often in inappropriate locations. 2.6.2 Although some residential caravan 2.6.5 Until 1994, local authorities had a sites can have a poor appearance statutory duty under the Caravan and provide sub-standard Sites Act 1968 to provide gypsy accommodation, good quality ‘park sites for those gypsies normally homes’ can offer attractive low-cost resident in the area. Those housing. Residential caravans and authorities which could demonstrate park homes are particularly that such provision had been made attractive to elderly people. could apply for Designated Status. In 1987, following the opening of 2.6.3 Some residential caravan parks the Mellishaw Lane Gypsy Site, have been upgraded with Lancaster District was awarded investment in ‘park homes’ and in designated status. However under improvements to the site the Criminal Justice and Public environment and facilities. Order Act 1994, this statutory duty

2.6.7 A spot count of gypsy caravans is THE SITE IS NO LONGER undertaken on behalf of the NEEDED TO MEET THE Department of Transport, Local EXISTING OR FUTURE NEEDS Government and the Regions every OF GYPSIES SEEKING TO six months. The latest count was RESIDE OR STAY IN THE undertaken in 1997 when there DISTRICT; OR were 89 caravans housing an estimated 54 families located in the ALTERNATIVE PROVISION HAS District. Of these, 9 caravans were BEEN MADE OF A parked illegally. The figures COMPARABLE STANDARD ON increase during the winter months AN APPROPRIATE SITE. when gypsies spend less time travelling. Over the last few years there has been an average of New Gypsy Sites around 20 illegally parked caravans 2.6.9 Current Government advice during the winter months. requires local authorities to treat 2.6.8 Whilst these figures would seem to applications for new gypsy sites on imply that there is a shortage of the same basis as any other sites, there is evidence to suggest development, with a strong that some of the existing gypsy presumption in favour of proposals sites are being used by non-gypsies which accord with the Development as site owners seek to obtain a Plan. year-round income from their sites. 2.6.10 The surveys of gypsy caravans In these circumstances a cautious carried out over the last four years approach will be taken to proposals point to a slight deficiency in involving existing or proposed provision. However, as pointed out gypsy sites. In particular the above, there is some doubt that all Council will not normally allow these caravans are actually existing sites to be lost to other occupied by gypsies. There is no uses or to be occupied by non- firm evidence to suggest that gypsies. Exceptions will only be current demand is significantly made where suitable alternative greater than the supply available. provision has been made or where There does not seem, therefore, to applicants can prove that the facility Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 38 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 be a pressing case to identify new CAN PROVIDE AN gypsy sites in the District. This ACCEPTABLE LIVING situation may however change ENVIRONMENT; during the life of the Local Plan and if a genuine need can be THE PROPOSED USE IS demonstrated then proposals may COMPATIBLE WITH be permitted. NEIGHBOURING USES; AND

2.6.11 New gypsy accommodation should THE SITE IS LOCATED IN OR be located in or on the edge of ADJACENT TO AN EXISTING existing settlements and be close to SETTLEMENT AND IS WITHIN local shops and services. The REASONABLE DISTANCE OF immediate surroundings of the LOCAL SERVICES AND proposed site should be capable of SCHOOLS; providing an acceptable living environment in terms of health and EXCEPTIONALLY, PROPOSALS safety. Neighbouring uses should WHICH INVOLVE THE CARRYING be compatable with the gypsy OUT OF A TRADE BY THE lifestyle. In addition, gypsy sites will OCCUPANT(S) IN A not normally be allowed in the open REASONABLE MANNER countryside, particularly in the North WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY Lancashire Green Belt and Areas of HARMING THE AMENITY OF Outstanding Natural Beauty or NEARBY RESIDENTS WILL BE where nature conservation interests PERMITTED. will be affected. Accommodation for 2.6.12 There are instances where gypsies Elderly People wish to carry out a business from a home base. This can cause 2.6.13 By the year 2006, the number of problems if the use is people above retirement age in the unneighbourly and affects other District will decrease slightly residents of the site or nearby although numbers in very old age householders. The Council will only groups will continue to grow. This approve proposals involving this means that there is likely to be only type of activity where it is convinced limited demand for additional that these types of problems can be accommodation for elderly people. avoided. Sheltered Accommodation POLICY H16 2.6.14 Sheltered housing allows residents PROPOSALS FOR THE to maintain an independent lifestyle ESTABLISHMENT OR with access to central services such EXTENSION OF GYPSY SITES as warden facilities. It should be WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED located in central locations close to WHERE THE APPLICANT CAN shops and other services and with PROVE TO THE SATISFACTION good access to public transport. OF THE COUNCIL THAT: Some of the Housing Opportunity Sites identified in Policies H3 and THE PROPOSAL MEETS A H6 which are close to public GENUINE NEED FOR GYPSY transport and local facilities may be ACCOMMODATION WHICH suitable for sheltered housing. CANNOT BE MET ON AN EXISTING OR APPROVED SITE;

THE SITE IS SUITABLE FOR THE PROPOSED USE AND

Retirement Homes 2.6.15 There is continuing demand for the conversion of larger houses to homes for elderly people. Such properties should have sufficient amenity space, appropriate neighbouring uses and, preferably, access to public transport. To avoid an excessive concentration of homes for the elderly, Lancashire Social Services, which registers all new homes for the elderly, will be consulted on all proposals for this type of accommodation.

Nursing Homes 2.6.16 Nursing homes are best located in an established residential area in quiet, pleasant surroundings, accessible to medical services, staff and visitors and well served by public transport. There may be opportunities to develop high quality nursing homes within the major new residential areas proposed in this plan. POLICY H18

PROPOSALS FOR NEW NURSING HOMES OR HOMES FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING PROPERTIES, WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE THE SITE OR PROPERTY;

IS WELL LOCATED IN RELATION TO LOCAL SERVICES, FACILITIES AND

2.7.1 The District has a large stock of older housing including extensive Development on Small areas of Victorian terraced housing Sites in Lancaster, in Lancaster, Morecambe and Morecambe, Heysham and Carnforth. Comprehensive area Carnforth improvement programmes have 2.7.4 In Lancaster, Morecambe, been implemented in selected Heysham and Carnforth many new areas, most recently in the West dwellings are built on small infill End of Morecambe. As a result, plots, under-used, vacant or derelict there is little housing which is unfit sites or are created by the re-use of for habitation, and over-crowding, existing buildings. Around a quarter shared facilities and the number of of new dwellings are provided in houses without modern amenities this way. Although some of the has been greatly reduced. Most of larger potential development sites the District’s older residential stock are identified as Housing can meet housing needs well into Opportunity Sites, other sites will the next century and the City continues to come forward. Council will continue to promote its improvement. 2.7.5 Redevelopment and infill sites can present design challenges as they Environmental are often small or irregularly shaped Improvements and close to existing houses. Some sites and properties lie within 2.7.2 Older housing areas often lack conservation areas or are close to basic facilities such as parking, listed buildings. Such development effective traffic management, should be well designed, provide a children’s play areas and green high standard of amenity and not space. Many dwellings lack result in a significant adverse gardens. Back alleys are often impact on neighbouring properties. poorly maintained and unattractive. The Residential Design Code provides detailed guidance on the 2.7.3 Improvements to older housing standards which will be expected areas require a comprehensive for this type of development. approach. Derelict or under-used open land can provide amenity or 2.7.6 All new housing development must play space or off-street parking. be connected to the public Traffic management, traffic calming sewerage system where connection and improvements in the condition is possible. These systems should of roads, footpaths and rear have the capacity to accept alleyways can re-establish a increased flows without any pleasant and attractive street adverse impact on the environment. scene. Better designed extensions Development in Heysham Village and new housing can also have an should take account of the potential impact. Comprehensive area-based effect on sewage discharges from renewal initiatives can ensure a Heysham Village Pumping Station. targetted, co-ordinated approach. In the Oxcliffe Road/White Lund area, the reliance on septic tanks has resulted in poor water quality in Oxcliffe Dyke. Development in this area should have adequate provision for foul drainage to the public sewerage system.

WOULD NOT RESULT IN THE PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD LOSS OF GREEN SPACE OR REMOVE SEPARATE UPPER OTHER AREAS OF LOCALLY FLOOR ACCESSES IN TOWN IMPORTANT OPEN SPACE; CENTRE AND SEAFRONT PROPERTIES WILL NOT BE WOULD NOT HAVE A PERMITTED. PROPOSALS TO SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE CONVERT UPPER FLOORS TO EFFECT ON THE AMENITIES RESIDENTIAL USE WILL BE OF NEARBY RESIDENTS; PERMITTED WHERE A SEPARATE PRIVATE ACCESS PROVIDES A HIGH AND ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS STANDARD OF AMENITY; OF PRIVACY, SPACE AND RESIDENTIAL AMENITY ARE MAKES ADEQUATE PROVIDED PROVISION FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE AND WITHIN THE AREA SHOWN ON WASTE WATER, AND THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP AS THE STONEWELL MAKES SATISFACTORY UPPER FLOORS IMPROVEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR AREA, THE COUNCIL WILL ACCESS, SERVICING AND PROMOTE THE CYCLE AND CAR PARKING. COMPREHENSIVE CONVERSION OF UPPER FLOOR PROPERTIES TO RESIDENTIAL USE Residential Use of Upper Floors Flat Development 2.7.7 There is a substantial amount of unused space above shops in the 2.7.9 High density flat developments are District. This could be converted to an efficient use of land. Conversion provide flats and office space which to flats can be a particularly suitable would improve the vitality of the use for many larger properties such District’s town centres. As well as as redundant hotels and guest being an eyesore and an inefficient houses. Flats are normally use of a building, neglect of upper acceptable if a satisfactory standard floors can cause structural damage of amenity and appearance is in the long term. Proposals to bring achieved. upper floors into beneficial use, 2.7.10 Initiatives such as the West End particularly for residential flats, will Renewal Area have shown that be encouraged and development good quality self-contained flats can which would result in the severance help to solve local housing of separate accesses to upper problems rather than contribute to floors will be resisted. them. Many buildings are potentially 2.7.8 In some areas, a comprehensive, attractive, centrally located and planned conversion of upper floor close to shops and other amenities. properties could allow for shared They could provide high quality flats access, circulation space and

2.7.13 The City Council will restrict the 3. PROVIDES FOR establishment of further houses in ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS multiple occupation. New HMOs OF SPACE, OUTLOOK, and hostels will only be permitted in PRIVACY, DAYLIGHT, OPEN exceptional circumstances such as SPACE AND RESIDENTIAL purpose built shared AMENITY. accommodation to meet a specific proven need where this would not PROPOSALS TO REGULARISE have a detrimental impact on the THE UNAUTHORISED USE OF surrounding neighbourhood. In HOUSES IN MULTIPLE such cases, occupation will OCCUPATION OR HOSTELS normally be limited to identified WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED groups, such as students or people WHERE CRITERIA 2 AND 3 with learning difficulties, where a (ABOVE) ARE MET. Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 43 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 a similar approach to other similar 2.7.15 Where enforcement action is taken areas of the District. Initially against unauthorised houses in resources will be directed to the multiple occupation or hostels, the Poulton area of Morecambe where owner will be encouraged to seek a range of measures will be permission for conversion to self introduced to increase confidence contained accommodation where in the area including; practicable. There will be instances where the unauthorised use has • redevelopment of the former been operating for some time and Poulton Market site for housing, action could result in the open space and car parking in displacement of tenants causing accordance with the hardship. In such cases the Development Brief; effective date of enforcement • providing new public open proceedings may be delayed to space in housing developments; allow for alternative arrangements to be made for tenants and the • introducing residents parking owner. schemes; IN DEALING WITH THE • restricting the overnight parking UNAUTHORISED USE OF of HGVs; PROPERTY AS A HOUSE IN • the conversion and MULTIPLE OCCUPATION OR rehabilitation of upper floors for HOSTEL, THE CITY COUNCIL residential use. WILL ENCOURAGE THE CONVERSION TO FULLY SELF- CONTAINED FLATS OR OTHER SUITABLE USE. WHERE THE OWNER IS UNWILLING TO CARRY OUT SUITABLE WORKS OF CONVERSION, IT WILL TAKE ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO ENSURE CESSATION OF THE USE. N Crown copyright. All Housing Regeneration in rights reserved. Morecambe Lancaster City Council Licence No. LA 078379 2002. 2.7.16 In Morecambe West End and the Poulton area there are many HMOs and hostels providing Diagram 10 – The Central Poulton Action accommodation for unemployed Area people. These areas have some of the District’s highest concentrations The Central Poulton Area of unemployment and deprivation. of Morecambe 2.7.17 A comprehensive action plan for the 2.7.18 Physical improvements to the West End has been prepared and Poulton area, such as implemented through the Housing enhancement of the street Renewal Area programme and the environment, the provision of new Single Regeneration Budget. This public open space and measures to has improved housing standards, manage traffic in the area could be upgraded the environment, accompanied by limited new introduced traffic management, housing development and the provided residents parking and conversion of vacant shops and improved conditions for commercial premises to residential pedestrians. It is intended to adopt use. This would have the effect of

WITHIN THE CENTRAL POULTON ACTION AREA, PROPOSALS FOR THE CHANGE OF USE OF VACANT SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL PREMISES TO HOUSING, WHICH WOULD BRING ENVIRONMENTAL OR ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO THE AREA WILL BE PERMITTED.

3. The Local Economy

This part of the Local Plan contains the Council’s policies for employment, shopping and tourism development. It allocates sites for new business and industry. It sets out criteria for development in existing industrial areas. It contains policies on office development. It sets out the District’s shopping hierarchy, the approach to new shopping development and protecting the District’s shopping centres. Finally it identifies opportunities for tourism related development.

The City Council’s Policies aim to: • increase local employment opportunities and reduce the need for commuting out of the District; • provide sites to meet the development needs of existing and potential employers; • maintain and develop the district’s existing employment areas and shopping centres; • encourage sectors with growth potential such as education and port related development; • continue the successful development of tourism and leisure in the District; and • encourage diversification and employment development in the rural economy. The City Council proposes;

• a business park at Bailrigg; • sites for new businesses at Lancaster Business Park, Mellishaw Lane in Morecambe and Carnforth Business Park; • improvements to the District’s existing employment areas; • mixed-use developments including offices in and around Lancaster City Centre; • consolidating and improving the District’s shopping centres; and • developing the distinct tourism roles of Morecambe, Lancaster, Carnforth and the rural area.

3.1 Background – the Local Economy

Figure 6; Lancaster District Economically Figure 7; Lancaster District Employment Active Population 1981-2006. Structure, 1981-1993

SOURCE; CENSUS OF EMPLOYMENT 70000 60000 66024 50000 63614 90.0% 58222 60579 78.1% 40000 54968 52358 30000 75.2% 80.0% 74.1% 20000 70.6% 10000 66.1% 0 70.0% 65.5% 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 60.0%

SOURCE; LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 50.0%

3.1.1 Over the last 20 years there has been a fundamental shift in the 40.0% economy of Lancaster District from manufacturing to service 30.0% 15.6%15.5%15.6% employment. By 1994, only 11% 14.1% of the workforce worked in 20.0% 13.3% manufacturing. The 1980s saw 11.6% service employment grow by 10.0% 1000 jobs with the largest increases occuring in the retail, 0.0% education, public administration and miscellaneous service 1981 1984 1987 1989 1991 1993 sectors (Figure 7). Public sector organisations such as health and Services Manufacturing education providers, Government

agencies and privatised utilities 3.1.3 The local economy is also now play an important role. The becoming less self-contained. District’s largest individual During the 1980s, the number of employers are Lancaster people commuting to work University, the two NHS hospital outside the District grew by 75% trusts and the nuclear power to some 6,100 people (Figure 8). stations at Heysham. The main destinations are Central Unemployment has exceeded Lancashire and South Lakeland. national and county averages for some time. 3.1.2 New activities, such as paper manufacture, have developed in the manufacturing sector. There has been major investment in the Caton Road area, at White Lund and in the Lancaster Canal Corridor by local companies and by new companies moving into the District.

20% 12.5% 8.2% Structure Plan Requirement – 100 ha 1991-2006 3.6% 10%

0% Land developed 1991-1996 9 ha 1971 1981 1991

Vacant Land available within 50 ha Residents Working Within existing employment areas District retained in District Local Plan 1996 Residents Working Land allocated on green-field sites 45.5 ha Outside District in Local Plan

Figure 8; Commuting out of the District TOTAL LAND SUPPLY 95.5 ha 1971-1991

SOURCE; CENSUS 3.1.6 Some former industrial land is unattractive and subject to some form of contamination. Where Business Land and there is no possibility of re-use for Property employment purposes, the Council will encourage the 3.1.4 This Local Plan is required by the recycling of this land for other Lancashire Structure Plan to purposes. The largest single allocate 100 ha of land for project is the ongoing business and industrial establishment of a 100 ha development over the Local Plan community woodland on the period. Between 1991 and 1996 former Shell-ICI sites in South around 9 ha of land was taken Heysham. up. This leaves a balance of 91 ha. Government Guidance in 3.1.7 Figure 9 shows the amount of PPG4, PPG6 and PPG13 employment land available in the requires Councils to allocate a District in July 1996. This choice of sites of different sizes, amounts to 50 hectares, whilst an types and locations and that sites additional 45.5 ha is proposed in employing a lot of people should this plan at Bailrigg, Lancaster be sited in locations with a choice Business Park, Mellishaw and of means of transport. Carnforth Business Park. 3.1.5 Demand for offices and commercial property has helped Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 48 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 3.2 Business Development Sites

substantial frontage to the A6. It is 5km north of M6 Junction 33. It is adjacent to Lancaster Bailrigg University and is served by the Village Primary Bus Route (see Policy T5) and the Strategic Cycle Network (see Policy T24). The site lies in a natural hollow and is Bailrigg hidden by a low mound to the Business north and by the heavily wooded Park Lancaster University Campus to the south. Because of the need to protect the high quality of the site

University and prevent development which N Campus would detract from it, only Business (B1) uses are acceptable on the site.

Campus, a Development Brief will Diagram 11 – Bailrigg Business Park be prepared to guide the layout of the site, the form and design of 3.2.1 The Local Plan identifies four the buildings and the phasing of prestige green-field locations for development. Development inward investment and high proposals will be required to quality development by local include proposals for extensive firms. These are vital to attract screening to Bailrigg village and investment and generate jobs. the A6.

Bailrigg Business Park POLICY EC1

3.2.2 The District must attract new high THE 9.7 HA OF LAND quality service industries in the IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL face of local, national and PLAN PROPOSALS MAP AS international competition. The THE BAILRIGG BUSINESS District offers high environmental PARK IS ALLOCATED FOR B1 quality, good external transport (BUSINESS AND LIGHT links, cultural facilities, the INDUSTRIAL) USE ONLY. expertise of Lancaster University and an exceptional quality of life. It must also offer high quality business locations in attractive surroundings, close to the M6 and to Lancaster City Centre. 3.2.3 A new business park at Bailrigg, south of Lancaster is proposed to meet this need. The business park is aimed particularly at inward investment. It is almost level with an established landscape structure and a

S A V

V A A V A V employment use. Together these E

A E E A S

V E VV V sites form a natural southerly V V M6V S SS V V

V V E V Jn 34 V V extension of the existing White V V V C V V V V V L

V V V V E S V A L Lund Industrial Estate. They are V V

V V V V A L V L L P P V E V attractive level green-field sites V

V V

V A V V V V V V V V A V V V V V V A J A V V V V V A V V J A close to the Morecambe- V V V A V V V E V V V V

V V V V V V Heysham By-pass. V V V V V A E V

A V J J V G G V V V V

V L V J V 3.2.7 Some uses such as waste V G L P V S

V P V V V V V V V

V V A V V V V V V V V V V VV V V V V V disposal, scrapyards and uses V

V L Reproduced from the Ordnance Survey map w ith the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's StationeryL Office (C) Crow n Copyright 2004 A L L involving large areas of open storage can detract from sites Diagram 12 – Lancaster Business where an attractive business Park environment is essential. Scrapyards and waste uses are Lancaster Business therefore unacceptable on both Park sites, whilst uses involving open 3.2.5 Lancaster Business Park is an 8 storage should only be allowed ha green-field site identified in the north of Mellishaw Lane subject Lancaster Local Plan for B1 and to screening to reduce their B2 use. It is next to M6 Junction impact. 34 with a long main road POLICY EC2 frontage. Some non-industrial uses such as car dealerships, THE FOLLOWING SITES hotels and restaurants may be a IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL necessary component of a PLAN PROPOSALS MAP ARE package to bring forward its ALLOCATED FOR THE development. Business and BUSINESS USE FOR THE industrial floorspace must BUSINESS USES SPECIFIED; however make up at least 75% of any mixed-use package. Area (Ha) Uses LANCASTER Mellishaw Lane BUSINESS PARK 8.00 B1 B2 MELLISHAW White Lund Employment LANE 20.00 B1 B2 B8 Area USES INVOLVING EXTENSIVE Lancaster City Retail Park OPEN STORAGE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ON MELLISHAW SOUTH. SUCH USES WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED ON MELLISHAW NORTH SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY SCREENING. Morecambe and 3.2.8 Lancaster Business Park and © Crown copyright. All Heysham N rights reserved. Lancaster By Pass Mellishaw Lane are major sites City Council Licence No. raising complex design, phasing LA 078379 2002. and land-use issues. New or

updated development briefs for Diagram 13 – The Mellishaw Area these sites will be prepared as required. 3.2.6 Existing local plans allocate 6.5 ha to the north and 14.6 ha to the south of Mellishaw Lane for

THE 7.8 HA OF LAND IDENTIFIED AS THE CARNFORTH BUSINESS PARK Canalside Park IS ALLOCATED FOR B1 (BUSINESS AND LIGHT Urban Proposed INDUSTRIAL) AND B2 Greenspace Business (GENERAL INDUSTRIAL) USE. Park Countryside © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. PROPOSALS FOR USES Existing Lancaster City WHICH COULD RESULT IN Employment Council Licence No. LA 078379 2002. Area SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN N HGV MOVEMENTS INTO OR County Biological OUT OF CARNFORTH TOWN Heritage Sites CENTRE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED ON THIS SITE. Diagram 14 – Carnforth Business Park Other Rural Employment 3.2.9 The Carnforth Local Plan Locations (adopted 1989) identified land at Kellet Road Carnforth as a site 3.2.12 Employment land and a positive for a business park. Phase 1 was attitude to employment developed in the mid 1980s and development in the countryside is the park is now Carnforth’s most essential to the rural economy. modern business environment. A This is illustrated by the success further 7.8 ha is identified for of Rural Development general and light industry. As the Commission (now Countryside site occupies a prominent Agency) investment in workshops location on the edge of the in Hornby and Caton and private countryside, development business developments in proposals must provide Carnforth, Cowan Bridge, Burrow, substantial landscaping along the Halton and Galgate. Such eastern and northern edges of developments will continue to be the site and safeguard the Kellet supported. Development will Road Verges County Biological normally be directed to identified Heritage Site. rural settlements. Exceptionally, appropriate development may be 3.2.10 The site lies close to houses and allowed adjacent to or outside schools and is located on a main villages if it meets a clear local route into Carnforth’s congested need. town centre. Uses which are likely to generate significant Willow Mill, Caton heavy goods vehicle movements into and out of the town centre 3.2.13 The converted Willow Mill and will not be allowed on the site. As adjacent farm buildings to the at Lancaster Business Park and south are the main employment Mellishaw Lane, there is a area within Caton and concern that waste disposal and Brookhouse containing many scrapyard uses would diminish small businesses. The site is the attractiveness of a high close to residential property and quality site of this nature. the impact of new uses will be carefully considered. 3.2.11 An approved development brief for this site provides detailed guidance for potential developers.

Lune Valley. The site adjoins the WILLOW MILL, CATON A65 trunk road. Development CLAUGHTON BRICKWORKS here must pay close attention to AND BUFFER STORE its road frontage. HORNBY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE COWAN BRIDGE INDUSTRIAL Glasson Dock ESTATE GLASSON DOCK 3.2.17 In addition to the Port of Glasson GLASSON INDUSTRIAL AREA discussed under Policy EC11, the GALGATE SILK MILL Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 52 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 THE FOREST OF BOWLAND AND ON OTHER EXISTING AND ARNSIDE/SILVERDALE EMPLOYMENT SITES WITHIN AREAS OF OUTSTANDING OR ON THE EDGE OF THE NATURAL BEAUTY. RURAL SETTLEMENTS IDENTIFIED IN POLICY H7, 3.2.20 Note; The conversion of existing WHERE THE PROPOSED buildings in the countryside is DEVELOPMENT; considered in Policy E20.

IS APPROPRIATE TO ITS SURROUNDINGS IN TERMS OF SITING, SCALE, DESIGN, MATERIALS, EXTERNAL APPEARANCE AND LANDSCAPING; AND

WOULD NOT RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE AMENITIES OF NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES BY REASON OF NOISE, VIBRATION, SOOT, ASH, GRIT, VISUAL INTRUSION, LIGHT, TRAFFIC GENERATION OR PARKING; AND

MAKES SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ACCESS, SERVICING, CYCLE AND CAR PARKING AND

MAKES SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE AND WASTEWATER; AND

DOES NOT GENERATE UNACCEPTABLE LEVELS OR TYPES OF TRAFFIC ON RURAL ROADS; AND

DOES NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS;

PARTICULAR ATTENTION WILL BE PAID TO THE APPEARANCE AND IMPACTS OF EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT AFFECTING

3.3 Improving the District’s Existing Employment Areas

3.3.1 The sites identified in Policies of a major new paper mill and EC1 and EC2 provide locations agricultural feedmill. The area is for large single users, offices and close to the M6 and is suitable for users which require high quality most types of business and surroundings. The needs of small industrial use. businesses and the expansion needs of existing businesses Luneside must also be met. Vacant sites and premises within the existing 3.3.4 The special problems of the industrial areas at South Luneside area are considered in Heysham, White Lund, Caton Policy EC14. The area has a Road, Luneside, Carnforth and substantial stock of vacant land Halton can help to meet this but is constrained by access need. The turnover of businesses difficulties and potential in these areas also provides a contamination. supply of sites and premises. White Lund White Cross, Lancaster 3.3.5 The White Lund Industrial Estate, 3.3.2 White Cross is the result of a between Lancaster and major conversion and new build Morecambe, is the District’s regeneration initiative in the largest employment area 1980s. It comprises mills covering 89 ha and employing converted to offices, new more than 5000 people. In industrial units, a canalside public addition to being the location for house, a television studio and a many important local businesses, Further Education College. White the estate has become the Cross is close to Lancaster City District’s centre for car Centre and is adjoined by dense showrooms. Around 3.9 ha of residential areas. It is therefore land remains undeveloped. White unsuitable for B8 uses which Lund is suitable for most generate a lot of lorry industrial uses. The special movements. problems of the Whitegate area are discussed later in this Caton Road, Lancaster chapter.

3.3.3 The area between Caton Road Royd Mill, Heysham and the River Lune is one of Lancaster’s most successful 3.3.6 This small site lies on the employment areas. At the south Morecambe-Heysham By-pass end, the Ladies Walk Industrial and currently fully occupied. It is Estate provides a range of small suitable for most types of business premises. The central industrial use. section is a former mill, now used largely for storage and distribution. The Lansil industrial estate has been reclaimed from a former mill site by Lancaster City Council and is now fully developed with the development

estate and the River Keer is CARNFORTH urban greenspace and should not be developed. The area is also WARTON ROAD 8.5 0 very close to houses at Millhead. B1,B2,B8 LODGE QUARRY 2.6 0 The site is unsuitable for B8 uses B1,B2 SCOTLAND ROAD 3.0 0 because of its unsatisfactory B1,B2,B8 access and the fact that such KELLET ROAD 2.0 0 B1,B2,B8 uses could increase traffic MILLHEAD 2.2 0 movements through Carnforth B1,B2 CARNFORTH LEVELS2.6 0 Town Centre. B1,B2,B8

TOTAL 50 ha Carnforth Levels 3.3.17 These sites, on the northern edge Criteria for new of Carnforth, are close to the M6, Employment remote from residential areas and Development suitable for most types of industrial use. As they adjoin the 3.3.18 New employment development countryside area, frontage must maintain or improve the treatments will require particular quality of the business care. environment and cannot be allowed to worsen local environmental conditions.

IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO PROPOSALS FOR MAJOR PEDESTRIANS AND EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT CYCLISTS FROM MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY SURROUNDING STREETS, GREEN TRANSPORT PLANS IN PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY, ACCORDANCE WITH POLICY BUS STOPS AND RAIL T17 STATIONS; Local Issues IS APPROPRIATE TO ITS SURROUNDINGS IN TERMS Halton Mills, OF SITING, SCALE, Employment DESIGN AND EXTERNAL Opportunity Site APPEARANCE; 3.3.19 Halton Mills is an old industrial USES HIGH QUALITY area on the banks of the River FACING MATERIALS AND Lune containing a mixture of LANDSCAPING Victorian mill buildings and TREATMENT TO cleared sites and more recent FRONTAGES VISIBLE industrial premises. Part of the FROM ROADS AND OTHER site, the former Great Lakes PUBLIC PLACES; chemical works is believed to be seriously contaminated. The only PROVIDES FOR THE access to the site, along Mill Lane SCREENING OF is narrow and poorly surfaced SERVICING AND OPEN whilst all approaches to the site STORAGE AREAS FROM are along constrained local roads PUBLIC FRONTAGES AND unsuitable for heavy goods FROM ADJOINING vehicles. COUNTRYSIDE; 3.3.20 The site has a substantial river

frontage and is crossed by a MAKES SATISFACTORY public footpath linking Halton, the ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE Lancaster-Caton Cycle Track and DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE the Crook o’ Lune beauty spot. AND WASTEWATER AND The eastern end of the site DOES NOT HAVE A adjoins the Forest of Bowland SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE Area of Outstanding Natural EFFECT ON WATER Beauty. The site also forms part QUALITY; of the River Lune Millennium

THIS IS ESSENTIAL TO © Crown copyright. THE RETENTION OR All rights reserved. N Lancaster City EXPANSION OF AN Council Licence No. EXISTING EMPLOYER; LA 078379 2002. Halton THE PROPOSAL WOULD Mills CONTRIBUTE TO THE RESOLUTION OF THE ACCESS PROBLEMS OF THE SITE;

Diagram 15 – Halton Mills THE PROPOSALS WOULD RESULT IN A NET POLICY EC7 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OVER THE LAND IDENTIFIED ON THE WHOLE SITE. PROPOSALS MAP AT HALTON MILLS IS ALLOCATED AS A RURAL EMPLOYMENT Non-Employment OPPORTUNITY SITE. Development in PROPOSALS FOR Employment Areas COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT BASED MIXED 3.3.23 The District’s employment areas USE DEVELOPMENT must be safeguarded from INCLUDING HOUSING AND inappropriate development. Retail INFORMAL RECREATIONAL and leisure development within USES WILL BE PERMITTED employment areas can reduce WHERE THE PROPOSAL; the potential of an area for

NO UNACCEPTABLE 3.3.35 To assist the future relocation of IMPACT ON THE SITE, ITS Nightingale Hall Farm, the plant SURROUNDINGS AND THE and some surrounding land is WIDER LANDSCAPE. identified as a Housing Opportunity Site under policy H3. 3.3.32 Nightingale Hall Farm’s close Whilst housing is considered to proximity to a residential area, be a particularly suitable use for schools, parks and playing fields the site, this allocation does not and poor road links to the preclude other appropriate uses. motorway, means that it occupies POLICY EC13 a location which is not ideal for its current use. Whilst complaints of THE CITY COUNCIL WILL smell have reduced, there is still WORK WITH THE SITE the potential for problems to arise OWNERS TO ACHIEVE THE and the impact of HGV traffic RELOCATION OF THE ANIMAL remains. For these reasons, the BY-PRODUCTS RENDERING Council remains committed, PLANT AT NIGHTINGALE working with the plant’s owner, to HALL FARM TO A MORE achieving the relocation of the ACCEPTABLE SITE. animal by-products rendering plant to a more acceptable site. PLANNING PERMISSION FOR AN ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS 3.3.33 In considering any proposal to RENDERING PLANT TO relocate Nightingale Hall Farm REPLACE THAT AT the Council will take into account NIGHTINGALE HALL FARM the location of the proposed site WILL ONLY BE GRANTED in relation to protected areas, WHERE; links to the national transport

network, potential impact on THE SITE LIES OUTSIDE amenity and any adverse effect ANY AREA OF on landscape or settlement OUTSTANDING NATURAL character or the setting of a listed BEAUTY, SITE OF NATURE building. CONSERVATION

THE SITE CAN BE SATISFACTORILY LINKED TO THE NATIONAL TRANSPORT NETWORK WITHOUT GENERATING HGV TRAFFIC THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND;

THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON AMENITY BY REASON OF SMELL, NOISE, LIGHT AND TRAFFIC GENERATION, AND;

THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON LANDSCAPE OR SETTLEMENT CHARACTER OR ON THE SETTING OF A LISTED BUILDING.

NO WORK ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REPLACEMENT PLANT SHALL COMMENCE UNTIL A SCHEME FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE REUSE OF THE NIGHTINGALE HALL FARM SITE AND A PROGRAMME FOR THE TRANSFER OF THE ANIMAL BY-PRODUCTS RENDERING PLANT TO A NEW SITE HAS BEEN AGREED WITH THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY.

Luneside Employment Area

Woodland Opportunity Area

Sports Pitches

Diagram 16 - Luneside warehousing uses will not therefore normally be permitted. Luneside 3.3.38 Part of the Luneside area adjoins 3.3.36 The Luneside area contains 7.9 the Lune Riverside Park (see ha of vacant land and is in need Policies E30 and R9). The open of major upgrading. The area land to the south and west remains an important industrial containing woodland and open location with some of the space uses is not required for District’s main manufacturing industrial use. This area is employers and many small identified as a woodland businesses. Existing allocations opportunity area under Policy for industrial and business E27. development are retained. POLICY EC14 3.3.37 Access to Luneside will continue

to be via residential roads. This WITHIN THE LUNESIDE AREA limits business developments IDENTIFIED ON THE which generate HGV movements. PROPOSALS MAP, Further haulage, construction and DEVELOPMENT BRINGING

3.3.39 The Luneside area and the IN LANCASTER, MORECAMBE, western end of the White Lund HEYSHAM AND CARNFORTH, Industrial Estate around PROPOSALS FOR B1 Whitegate suffer from poor (BUSINESS AND LIGHT environmental quality, circuitous INDUSTRIAL) USES WILL BE access and a low standard of PERMITTED OUTSIDE building, servicing and storage ESTABLISHED EMPLOYMENT facilities. Significant AREAS PROVIDED THAT; improvements to both areas are needed including the upgrading THE DEVELOPMENT IS and renewal of access roads, WELL SERVED BY PUBLIC environmental improvements and TRANSPORT; AND the screening of open storage and scrapyard uses. THERE WILL BE NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE COUNCIL WILL PREPARE THE AMENITIES OF A STRATEGY FOR THE ADJOINING RESIDENTS UPGRADING AND AND BUSINESSES. ENHANCEMENT OF THE WHITEGATE AND LUNESIDE EXCEPTIONALLY B2 AREAS INCLUDING (GENERAL INDUSTRIAL) USES ENVIRONMENTAL AND WILL BE PERMITTED ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS PROVIDED THAT THE ABOVE CRITERIA ARE MET. IN SUCH Business and Industrial CASES THE COUNCIL WILL Development Outside ATTACH A CONDITION Employment Areas LIMITING THE PERMISSION SPECIFICALLY TO THE USE 3.3.40 Whilst most employment APPLIED FOR. development will take place on identified sites, some service uses can satisfactorily be located in residential areas or within town centres. Some businesses located outside employment areas may also need to expand.

Development on Rural PROPOSALS FOR NON- Employment Sites EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT ON THE FOLLOWING RURAL 3.3.42 In the rural areas, demand for EMPLOYMENT SITES WILL small affordable business NOT BE PERMITTED: premises has been demonstrated

by the success of business WILLOW MILL, CATON developments in Caton, Hornby CLAUGHTON BRICKWORKS and Cowan Bridge. Jobs in AND BUFFER STORE villages are essential to the HORNBY INDUSTRIAL ESTATE survival of vulnerable rural COWAN BRIDGE INDUSTRIAL communities. Opportunities for ESTATE land and premises are limited by GLASSON INDUSTRIAL AREA the need to protect the GLASSON DOCK countryside and by having to GALGATE SILK MILL compete with housing

development for a very limited ELSEWHERE IN THE RURAL supply of sites. Existing AREA, DEVELOPMENT WILL employment sites in villages are ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE therefore a very important IT CAN BE SHOWN THAT resource. Their potential THERE IS NO DEMAND FOR contribution to the rural economy EMPLOYMENT must be taken into account when DEVELOPMENT; OR assessing proposals for their use.

3.3.43 Proposals for non-employment THE SITE’S LOCATION OR uses on rural employment sites SURROUNDINGS ARE will only be permitted where it can CLEARLY UNSUITED TO be demonstrated that committed EMPLOYMENT USE; AND attempts have been made to market the site for employment AND THE PROPOSAL purposes. Evidence will be WOULD BRING ABOUT required that the site has been CLEAR ENVIRONMENTAL advertised for sale on the open BENEFITS; OR market in the appropriate local and trade press at a realistic price THE PROPOSAL IS PART or rent on more than two OF A MIXED-USE SCHEME occasions over a period of at IN WHICH EMPLOYMENT IS least one year and that no THE DOMINANT USE. reasonable offers have been refused. 3.3.44 Some rural employment uses can give rise to serious environmental problems through visual intrusiveness, noise and heavy goods vehicle movements on unsuitable roads. There will be instances where the benefits of removing an unsatisfactory use will be substantial and other uses may be considered.

BUSINESS OPPPORTUNITY Office Development SITES; 3.4.1 There has been significant recent in office development in the KINGSWAY District. Two companies (Reebok DAMSIDE and Prospero) have established LANCASTER MOOR HOSPITAL major office centres in the District. The largely office-based WITHIN THESE SITES, THE White Cross scheme, which COUNCIL WILL PERMIT began in 1983, is now OFFICE DEVELOPMENT AS approaching capacity. Both White PART OF A MIXED-USE Cross and Mitre House contain SCHEME large public sector users. Kingsway Site, 3.4.2 There is scope for further office- Lancaster based service industry development in the District. This 3.4.4 This site lies at the busiest may be met at the proposed approach to Lancaster City Bailrigg Business Park (see Centre at the Lune bridges. It Policy EC1) and through the represents visitors from the north use of existing sites and buildings with their first impression of the in and on the edge of the City. There are three Listed District’s town centres where Buildings on the site, the 18th users can benefit from the Century Bridge End House - an concentration of activities and attractive former tollhouse for facilities and good public Skerton Bridge, which is currently transport links. unused, Kingsway Baths and Bus Garage - a large 1930s municipal 3.4.3 There may be opportunities for structure and an ornate former mixed-use conversions with an marble works currently in use as office element at the redundant a restaurant. The recent closure hospital site at Lancaster Moor of Kingsway baths has created North (see Policy H3) where an opportunity to develop there are substantial buildings comprehensive proposals to with the scope to provide new provide; offices in high quality buildings and surroundings. • better road links from Caton Road to the City Centre car POLICY EC17 parks;

WITHIN THE DISTRICT’S • a more impressive entrance SHOPPING CENTRES, to the historic city of PROPOSALS FOR OFFICE (B1) Lancaster; USES INCLUDING THE • a permanent use for Bridge CHANGE OF USE OF EXISTING End House; BUILDINGS WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE THEY • the safeguarding of the listed ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE former Marble Works and its RETAIL POLICIES OF THE setting; LOCAL PLAN. • the retention of as much of THE FOLLOWING SITES the important elements of SHOWN ON THE PROPOSALS Kingsway Baths and Bus MAP ARE IDENTIFIED AS Garage as is practicable;

Diagram 17 - Kingsway

Primary Bus Corridor

Listed Buildings

The District’s Retail • local convenience centres at Torrisholme, Caton, Bare, Hierarchy Morecambe West End, 3.5.1 The retail sector is one of the Heysham Road Heysham and most important elements in the Bolton-le-Sands. Local Economy. It is estimated 3.5.3 Four supermarkets form the basis that there are around 800 retail of convenience shopping in the businesses in the District adding District. A Sainsbury store lies on up to around 96,000 sq. m of the edge of Lancaster City retail floorspace and employing Centre. Morecambe Town Centre around 4000 people. contains a Morrisons and a small Tesco. Carnforth Town Centre Figure 10 – Comparison Shopping in contains a Booths. There is also Lancaster and Morecambe (1998) an out-of-centre Asda at Ovangle Road, a Netto on Lancaster Road and an Aldi on Morecambe Road, Lancaster Morecambe Centre Centre all between Lancaster and

Morecambe. Number of Shops 383 196 (A1,A2,A3) 3.5.4 Other retail outlets in the District

Total Shopping Floorspace 66,847 46,150 are the Lancaster City Retail (ground floor gross) Park, an out-of-centre retail park

Number of National 76 27 selling DIY goods and furniture Comparison Multiple Shops on Mellishaw Lane, Morecambe, National Comparison 35,031 10,228 a small edge-of-centre retail park Floorspace (sq.m gross) on Bulk Road, north of Lancaster Number of Clothing and 58 27 City Centre and freestanding out- Footwear shops of-centre DIY stores on Aldcliffe Clothing and Footwear 15,221 7205 Road, Lancaster and White Lund Floorspace (sq.m gross) Road, Morecambe.

3.5.2 The District’s retail hierarchy 3.5.5 The shopping hierarchy identifies elaborates on the hierarchy set the town centres to be protected out in the Lancashire Structure and enhanced. It ensures that as Plan which identifies Lancaster many services as possible are and Morecambe town centres as provided locally, that high order preferred locations for new retail services are provided at the most development. The hierarchy public transport accessible consists of; locations and that local services are accessible on foot. New • Lancaster City Centre; a development should be located in major sub-regional shopping the centres identified and should centre and the principal be appropriate to the size and location for new retail catchment area of the centre development; concerned. • Morecambe Town Centre; an important convenience and local comparison centre; • Carnforth; the convenience, local comparison and service centre for the north of the District; and

POLICY S1 • need cannot be met on sites on or within premises within NEW SHOPPING existing centres; DEVELOPMENT, OTHER THAN SMALL LOCAL SHOPS, • the site is within reasonable VILLAGE SHOPS, FARM walking distance of an SHOPS AND SHOPPING existing centre; DEVELOPMENT WHICH 3.5.7 Out of centre development, i.e. SATISFIES THE development which lies outside REQUIREMENTS OF POLICY reasonable walking distance of S2, WILL BE PERMITTED ONLY the centre, will only be permitted WITHIN THE CITY, DISTRICT where there are no town centre or AND LOCAL CENTRES edge-of-centre options. In the IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL very exceptional circumstances PLAN PROPOSALS MAP. when and out-of-centre proposal may be acceptable, it must be SUB-REGIONAL CENTRE well related to public transport LANCASTER and to existing and proposed residential areas. DISTRICT CENTRES MORECAMBE 3.5.8 In considering edge and out-of- CARNFORTH centre retail schemes, the Council will have regard to the LOCAL CENTRES possibility of accommodating MORECAMBE, WEST END demonstrated need on more than TORRISHOLME one site and, in considering bulky BARE goods proposals, the extent to HEYSHAM ROAD which the type of goods to be CATON VILLAGE sold could also be sold in town BOLTON-LE-SANDS centre shops. Where out-of- centre and edge-of-centre WITHIN THESE CENTRES retailing is permitted, it will only PROPOSALS FOR RETAIL be in locations with good public DEVELOPMENT WILL ONLY transport links to its potential BE PERMITTED WHICH ARE catchment area. Out and edge of APPROPRIATE TO THE SIZE centre permissions will be limited AND FUNCTION OF THE to ranges of goods which can be CENTRE CONCERNED shown not to have a significant Retail Development on adverse effect on the overall vitality of a city, district or local the Edge of or Outside centre. Identified Centres 3.5.9 Local shopping development is 3.5.6 The Council’s primary objective is defined as that which, because of to retain the overall vitality and its size, potential turnover and viability of the centres identified in range of goods sold, may be the hierarchy. It will apply the expected to draw most of its sequential test to all proposals for custom from residents of the area new retail development. This within 5 minutes walking distance means that proposals for retail of the development. Village development in edge of centre shops which serve an extensive, locations will only be approved sparsely populated, rural where all of the following tests catchment area are clearly an are satisfied; exception. Rural shopping is considered in Policies S16-S18. • need can be demonstrated;

Town Centre Boundary

Primary Retail Frontage

Other Key Frontage

Diagram 18 – Lancaster City Centre

Marketgate Centre. This area CHEAPSIDE contains most of the City's (ALL FRONTAGES), national comparison multiples, its ST NICHOLAS CENTRE biggest in-centre stores, its (ALL FRONTAGES), highest rents, its major shopping MARKETGATE CENTRE centres and its highest pedestrian (ALL FRONTAGES) flows. It is the retail core of 1-33 AND 2-36 MARKET Lancaster and its continued STREET vitality is essential to the District's 1-43 AND 2-32 PENNY STREET economy. Whilst the diversity of

the centre is one of its strengths, THE FOLLOWING FRONTAGES restraint must be exercised over ARE IDENTIFIED AS OTHER A2 (financial and professional KEY RETAIL FRONTAGES services) and A3 (food and drink) WITHIN WHICH A1 RETAIL uses to ensure that A1 retail AND A3 (FOOD AND DRINK) remains the dominant ground USES WHICH SATISFY THE floor use. The Council will CRITERIA SET OUT IN POLICY concentrate environmental S7 WILL REMAIN THE improvements within this area to DOMINANT USES; ensure that the centre continues

to provide a competitive shopping BROCK ST (ALL FRONTAGES) environment. 1-35, COMMON GARDEN ST

Opportunity Site at Damside Lancaster City Centre - Street; Financial and • Allowing up to 20% of Professional Service ground-floor frontages to be Uses in A2 use within Other Key Retail Frontages; and 3.5.25 Financial and professional services are a major element of • Making reasonable provision the economy of Lancaster City within Primary Retail Centre and, in moderate Frontages whilst ensuring that numbers, contribute to the A1 retail remains the diversity of uses within the centre. dominant use. Most of the City's estate agents POLICY S5 are located in New Street and the

west end of Market Street. A WITHIN THE PRIMARY RETAIL number of banks and financial FRONTAGES IN LANCASTER services are located at the west end of Church Street. There is a CITY CENTRE IDENTIFIED ON THE PROPOSALS MAP, THE further concentration of office and CHANGE OF USE OF GROUND professional services in the FLOOR PREMISES TO A2 Dalton Square area. (FINANCIAL AND 3.5.26 In the City's Primary Retail PROFESSIONAL SERVICE) Frontages, within which most USES WILL ONLY BE major retailers are located and PERMITTED WHERE; which experience the highest pedestrian flows, there is a real ALL ADJOINING danger that where such uses FRONTAGES ARE IN A1 become over-dominant, the RETAIL USE; AND vitality, interest and attractiveness of the street is diminished. These THE PROPOSAL WOULD concerns also exist, but to a NOT RESULT IN THE lesser degree, in Other Key PROPORTION OF NON-A1 Frontages. There are also USES EXCEEDING 20% OF special considerations in the ANY CONTINUOUS RETAIL Castle Precinct area and these FRONTAGE. are considered in Policy E40.

such centres outside Primary Retail Frontages. In dealing with Lancaster City Centre – applications for amusement Food and Drink Uses centres, particular attention will be paid to the appearance of the 3.5.29 Restaurants, cafes, public houses street scene, the effect on and hot food takeaways are shopping frontages and the essential elements of the City amenities of nearby residents and Centre economy. They businesses. contribute to its diversity, its employment base and its vitality POLICY S6 and viability. They are particularly valuable in AMUSEMENT CENTRES AND maintaining the vitality of the OTHER AMUSEMENT centre outside normal shopping RELATED USES WILL NOT BE hours. There are concentrations PERMITTED WITHIN THE of pubs and restaurants in the CASTLE CONSERVATION Church Street area and in Upper AREA. ELSEWHERE IN Penny Street. Pedestrianisations GROUND FLOOR PROPERTIES in these areas will increase the WITHIN THE CITY CENTRE, scope for pavement seating and SUCH USES WILL BE consolidate their roles as eating PERMITTED OUTSIDE and drinking areas. Within these Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 77 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 'Cafe Quarters' the Council will CITY CENTRE IDENTIFIED ON give priority to proposals for cafes THE PROPOSALS MAP, THE and restaurants which open CHANGE OF USE OF GROUND during the day, which will have an FLOOR PREMISES TO A3 attractive frontage and which (FOOD AND DRINK) USES allow pavement seating. WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE; 3.5.30 Some types of A3 use, particularly hot-food takeaways AN ADJOINING FRONTAGE and public houses can give rise IS IN A1 RETAIL USE; AND to problems of noise, smell and antisocial behaviour if THE PROPOSAL WOULD over-concentrated or unsuitably NOT RESULT IN THE located. The introduction of PROPORTION OF A3 CCTV in Lancaster City Centre is (FOOD AND DRINK) OF helping to combat this. The ANY CONTINUOUS RETAIL Council will resist proposals for FRONTAGE LENGTH public houses and takeaways EXCEEDING 20%, AND where such concentrations would threaten city centre vitality or THE PROPOSAL DOES residential amenity. NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT 3.5.31 The Council's approach to A3 ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE uses is the following; CHARACTER OF THE STREET OR THE • Encouraging the development AMENITIES OF of 'cafe and restaurant NEIGHBOURING quarters' in pedestrianised RESIDENTS OR Other Key Frontage streets, BUSINESSES; where these would contribute to the vitality of the centre and WITHIN OTHER KEY RETAIL giving particular FRONTAGES IDENTIFIED ON encouragement to proposals THE LOCAL PLAN incorporating outdoor seating. PROPOSALS MAP, SUCH USES WILL ONLY BE • Making provision for a PERMITTED WHERE reasonable proportion of A3 uses within primary retail AN ADJOINING FRONTAGE frontages. IS IN A1 RETAIL USE; AND • Resisting excessive concentrations of, or THE PROPOSAL DOES unsuitably located public NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT houses and hot food ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE takeaways where these would CHARACTER OF THE give rise to amenity problems STREET OR THE or have a harmful effect on AMENITIES OF City Centre vitality. NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTS OR POLICY S7 BUSINESSES.

WITHIN THE PRIMARY RETAIL FRONTAGES IN LANCASTER

Diagram 19 – Morecambe Town Centre

3.5.32 Morecambe Town Centre is a demand for new floorspace over district shopping centre providing the local plan period. mainly convenience goods to Morecambe, Heysham and POLICY S8 nearby villages. The town has recently seen the development of WITHIN MORECAMBE TOWN a new Morrisons superstore and CENTRE, PROPOSALS FOR the relocation of its market to a NEW RETAIL DEVELOPMENT new market hall on Central Drive. WHICH ARE CONSISTENT Although larger than Lancaster in WITH POLICY S1 AND WOULD area, Morecambe has fewer IMPROVE THE RANGE AND shops and a smaller catchment QUALITY OF SHOPS IN population. It is also very MORECAMBE WILL BE dispersed with many vacant PERMITTED. shops. ELSEWHERE IN MORECAMBE, 3.5.33 The centre has three main WHERE THERE ARE elements. There is a core of town SIGNIFICANT centre shops focused around the CONCENTRATIONS OF Arndale Centre. There is also a VACANT SHOPS, PROPOSALS range of gift shops, amusement TO CONVERT SHOPS TO arcades and catering outlets RESIDENTIAL USE WILL BE along Marine Drive serving PERMITTED WHERE THE visitors. The third element is the LOSS OF RETAIL PROPERTY new development in the Central WOULD NOT HAVE A Drive area. SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE VIABILITY OF 3.5.34 The new development and stock A CENTRE IDENTIFIED IN of vacant shops can absorb POLICY S1.

THE PROPOSAL DOES ADJOIN A SIMILAR USE OR NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT BREAK UP A CONTINUOUS ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE RETAIL FRONTAGE AND AMENITIES OF NEIGHBOURING HAVE A SIGNIFICANT RESIDENTS OR ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE BUSINESSES; AMENITIES OF NEIGHBOURING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD POLICY S18 NOT BY REASON OF ITS SCALE, POTENTIAL IN THE RURAL AREA, TURNOVER OR RANGE OF PROPOSALS FOR THE GOODS SOLD, HAVE A CONVERSION OF VILLAGE SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE SHOPS TO NON-A1 RETAIL IMPACT ON NEARBY USE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED VILLAGE SHOPPING; AND UNLESS IT CAN BE DEMONSTRATED THAT THE THE PROPOSAL, AND ANY SHOP IS NO LONGER VIABLE SIGNAGE ASSOCIATED Food and Drink Uses WITH IT, WOULD NOT Outside Town Centres HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE 3.5.57 Restaurants, pubs and hot food CHARACTER OF THE takeaways can cause noise, AREA OR LEAD TO AN smell, traffic, parking problems UNACCEPTABLE and late night disturbance. Where INCREASE IN TRAFFIC; such uses may cause problems, AND planning permission may be limited to the specific use applied THE PROPOSAL MAKES for. SATISFACTORY ARRANGEMENTS FOR POLICY S19 ACCESS, SERVICING, CYCLE, AND CAR IN THE URBAN AREA OUTSIDE PARKING; AND THE CENTRES OF LANCASTER AND THE SHOP USES EXISTING MORECAMBE AND IN RURAL BUILDINGS WITHIN THE SETTLEMENTS, A3 (FOOD MAIN AGRICULTURAL AND DRINK) USES WILL ONLY UNIT WHERE POSSIBLE; BE PERMITTED WHERE THEY;

PARTICULAR ATTENTION WOULD NOT RESULT IN WILL BE PAID TO THE UNACCEPTABLE LANDSCAPE AND TRAFFIC ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE AMENITIES OF

IN THE COUNTRYSIDE AREA, PROPOSALS FOR THE CHANGE OF USE OF FOOD AND DRINK ESTABLISHMENTS TO RESIDENTIAL OR OTHER USES WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE THE BUSINESS CAN BE DEMONSTRATED TO BE NO LONGER VIABLE.

Tourism in the Local The Regeneration of Economy Morecambe 3.6.1 Tourism is a major sector of the 3.6.5 Morecambe has adjusted to the local economy employing around loss of its traditional seaside holiday 1000 people directly and many market by developing new more in the hotel and catering commercial leisure attractions and sectors. Visitor spending also upgrading its environment with new benefits the District’s shopping public art based on the bird life of centres. The District has many Morecambe Bay. It now has a visitor attractions. Morecambe cinema, ten-pin bowling, leisure provides traditional seaside swimming and public art. Many of attractions, modern leisure facilities, these facilities benefit local public art and pavement games. residents as well as visitors. The The historic city of Lancaster offers concentration of leisure facilities in museums, parks, the canalside a quality environment is one of area and a developing shopping Morecambe’s strengths which will centre. be encouraged and developed. New visitor attractions should also 3.6.2 The Forest of Bowland and reflect its outstanding natural Arnside/Silverdale Areas of environment. Outstanding Natural Beauty provide informal quiet recreation. Other 3.6.6 Much remains to be done. rural attractions include the Pine Extensive repair work has now Lake leisure complex, the begun to the Victoria Pavilion Lancaster Canal and the (Winter Gardens). The 1930s art outstanding wildlife areas of deco Midland Hotel is in need of Morecambe Bay and the Lune substantial investment. The eastern Estuary. sea front and some of the shops and cafes along it need upgrading. 3.6.3 Tourism is an area where the District has advantages possessed 3.6.7 Phase 5 of the Morecambe coastal by few. With its outstanding urban defence works, covering the entire and rural landscapes, its eastern seafront has now begun. attractions, motorway connections This has created the opportunity to and proximity to the Lake District, incorporate new public art and the Yorkshire Dales and Blackpool, pavement games and provide an the District is well positioned to interpretation centre adjacent to attract more visitors. Green Street subject to lottery funding. Development which could 3.6.4 The District’s existing tourist prejudice the regeneration of attractions must be safeguarded Morecambe will be resisted. and enhanced. The regeneration of Morecambe must be continued. 3.6.8 The existing Development Brief for New visitor attractions must be the area has now largely been developed including raising the implemented and a revised profile of the City of Lancaster and Development Brief will be produced developing Carnforth’s railway in due course. heritage. 3.6.9 The Council’s development strategy for the area incorporates the following elements;

THE FOLLOWING AREAS IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP ARE ALLOCATED AS TOURISM OPPORTUNITY AREAS;

area would provide new attractions, WOULD NOT RESULT IN A generate new jobs or provide new SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE uses for existing rural buildings, IMPACT ON THE AMENITIES development may be permitted. OF ADJOINING RESIDENTS The need to protect the District’s OR BUSINESSES; outstanding landscape quality

means that such development must WOULD NOT GENERATE be very closely controlled and, if TRAFFIC LIKELY TO CAUSE permitted, screened to protect the A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE landscape. Noise and light impacts EFFECT ON THE must also be closely controlled. The CHARACTER OF THE AREA surrounding countryside and nearby OR INCREASE ACCIDENT villages must not suffer significantly RISK; increased traffic generation or

levels of activity in the area. Good IS NOT PREJUDICED BY THE quality agricultural land should be OPERATION OF THE FARM safeguarded. Wildlife habitats and WITHIN WHICH IT IS public rights of way should be LOCATED (IF ANY); protected and enhanced.

Development attracting large MAKES SATISFACTORY numbers of people from the urban ARRANGEMENTS FOR area should be close to Lancaster ACCESS, SERVICING AND and Morecambe and accessible by CYCLE AND CAR PARKING; public transport.

IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS FROM SURROUNDING ROADS AND RIGHTS OF WAY; AND

PROPOSALS TO EXTEND THE SEASON OF EXISTING CARAVAN SITES WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE:

THERE WOULD BE NO SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE SURROUNDINGS OR ON NATURE CONSERVATION INTERESTS;

A PROGRAMME OF ON SITE IMPROVEMENTS IS AGREED WITH THE LOCAL PLANNING AUTHORITY AND IMPLEMENTED BEFORE THE EXTENDED OPEN SEASON BEGINS;

CARAVANS REMAIN IN HOLIDAY USE AND ARE NOT USED FOR PERMANENT OCCUPATION; AND

THE SITE REMAINS CLOSED FOR A CONTINUOUS SIX WEEK PERIOD BETWEEN JANUARY 1st AND MARCH 31st.

4. Transport

This part of the Local Plan looks at transport in Lancaster District and at how current difficulties could change as reliance on the private car is reduced in future.

The Local Plan is based on the assumption that the promotion of public transport, walking and cycling, coupled with appropriate demand management measures, will gradually persuade people to use their cars less, particularly for local journeys within the main urban area.

Because the District covers a wide rural area, travel by car will remain important and most residents will continue to need a car for daily journeys.

The City Council aims to;

• limit car journeys in Lancaster centre to 1991 levels; • increase the proportion of people commuting by cycle to 10% and by bus to 12%; • provide for cyclists, pedestrians and buses in new development. The City Council proposes;

• a Primary Bus Corridor between Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham; • new bus stations in the centre of Lancaster and Morecambe; • to improve bus priority and accessibility to shopper car parks; • to ensure that the proposed Heysham M6 Link Road is not prejudiced by development; • to manage car parking in Lancaster City Centre to favour shoppers over commuters; • a new park and ride/walk car park at Kingsway, Lancaster; • a new pedestrian and cycle crossing of the River Lune in Lancaster; • extending the cycle path network though new housing areas and • to protect the potential for future investment in the District rail network

Figure 12; Car Ownership, Lancaster The Current Situation District 1981-1991

4.1.1 The ease with which people and goods can move around and Households with 1981 1991

across Lancaster District affects No car 18,450 17,060 everyone who lives, works, visits One car 20,655 23,662 or is seeking to invest in the area. Two cars 5,040 8,480 Many everyday journeys to work, school or the shops are delayed Three or more cars 855 1,574

by congestion, mainly due to Total cars* 33,300 45,344 traffic volumes on Lancaster’s Total households 45,000 50,776 two river crossings. Cycling and walking can be dangerous and *This assumes 3 cars in the 3 or more category and is unpleasant and Lancaster City therefore a minimum figure. Centre can be difficult to drive Source:1981 and 1991 census. into and park. People living or working near main roads suffer 4.1.4 The latest forecasts for car from fumes, noise and vibration. ownership produced by the Buses caught up in congestion Department of Transport (DoT) cannot run on time whilst delays suggest that, if current trends to goods vehicles add to the continue, Lancaster District could costs of industry. see an increase of between 20.7% (low growth) and 32.4% 4.1.2 Ease of access by a choice of (high growth) between 1991 and means of transport is essential for 2006. Figure 13 shows the future inward investment in potential implications of this level Lancaster and Morecambe. If of growth for the District. accessibility is worse than in other areas the District’s Figure 13 – Car Ownership Forecasts, economy could suffer. Lancaster District, 1991-2006

Households 1991 1996 Change The Future 1991-1996

4.1.3 Car ownership and use have Households 50,776 59,100 8,324

grown steadily, both nationally Cars Owned – 45,344 54,730 9,386 Low forecast and locally for many years. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate this Cars Owned – 45,344 60,035 14,691 trend. High Forecast

Figure 11 – Car Ownership, Great Source; Lancashire Structure Plan Report 16 – Britain, 1965 – 1989 Transport Issues

Households 1965 1975 1985 1989 4.1.5 As the number of people and with cars in the District grows,

No car 59% 44% 38% 34% Lancaster and Morecambe will

One car 36% 46% 45% 44% continue to change as a result of new development, expansion in Two or more 5% 10% 17% 22% cars the education sector and re- organisation of health care Total 17.2m 19.1m 20.8m 21.7m households provision. These changes will further increase demand for car

Source: Department of Transport travel in Lancaster and Morecambe. Rising car use has Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 98 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 been particularly evident in local Figure 15 - Traffic Growth in Lancaster journeys to work, the main Urban Area 1977 to 2006; components of peak hour Annual average daily flows (thousands) congestion. There has been a big

increase in travel to work by car 1977 (1) 2001(1) 1992(2) 2006(3) 2006(3) and a corresponding drop in bus Count Est. Count Low High patronage. Est Est

23.9 30.4 South Rd Two 28.0 35.0 40.0 Figure 14 – Means of Travel to Work in Way Lancaster District 1981-1991 15.2 20.8 Greaves Two 17.4 21.8 24.9 Road Way

17.3 22.3 King North 21.5 26.9 30.8 1981 % 1991 % Change Street bound

16.3 21.8 Thurn- South 25.7* 32.2 36.8 Train 421 0.9 460 0.9 +39 ham St bound

Bus 5940 12.7 3370 6.6 -2570 18.8 24.9 Grey- North 25.8* 32.3 36.9 hound bound Car (Driver) 18193 38.9 27770 54.4 +9577 Bridge

Car 6407 13.7 4492 8.8 -1915 19.3 24.9 Skerton South 26.1* 32.6 37.4 (Passenger) Bridge bound

Motorcycle 1263 2.7 970 1.9 -293 24.5 32.5 More- Two 34.7* 43.4 49.7 cambe Rd way Pedal Cycle 1450 3.1 2042 4.0 +592 12.7 18.8 Caton Two 19.0 23.8 27.2 Foot 9307 19.9 7350 14.4 -1957 Road way

Other/home 3747 8.0 4471 8.7 +730

TOTAL 46769 51050 1992 flows exceed predicted flows for 2001 prepared in 1991.

Source; (1) Lancaster Central Area Traffic Study 4.1.6 Figure 14 shows that between (1981) the 1981 and 1991 censuses, the (2) Lancashire County Council number of people driving to work (3) Lancashire County Council Locally based traffic forecasts increased by nearly 10,000 and the number using buses dropped Note: (2) Incorporates updated rebased by over 2,500. There was a Lancaster City Council traffic forecasts when available. significant reduction in the number of people walking to work 4.1.8 Figure 15 illustrates what could or sharing a car. The increase in happen by the year 2006 if travel the use of private cars to get to demand grows as forecast. The work is reflected in the number of main gyratory system and river vehicles in and around Lancaster crossings would be congested for City Centre at the peak morning longer periods of the day. More and evening times. motorists may use residential streets to avoid congestion. The 4.1.7 Figure 15 shows how daily traffic conditions that would result from flows on Lancaster’s main roads the levels of traffic growth shown have grown between 1977 and in Figure 15 would be 1992. It also shows how forecasts environmentally and economically prepared in 1980 for the year unacceptable. It is clear that other 2000 have already been ways must be found to cater for exceeded on a number of central traffic growth. roads. Finally the table shows how these flows could grow by the year 2006 if current trends continue.

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF A BUS OR RAIL SERVICE, OR THE EASE OF USE OF A BUS, RAIL, CYCLE OR PEDESTRIAN ROUTE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

Image removed, please consult the previous document for the image or contact the forward planning team with any queries

Diagram 20 – Routes being examined by Lancashire County Council for a Heysham-M6 Link

walking and cycling in and 4.2.1 The 1997 Lancashire Structure around Lancaster City Centre. Plan identifies a proposal for a road linking the M6 with the 4.2.4 Following consultations on route Heysham peninsula. The options in 1997, which were strategic purpose of the road is required as a result of the Structure Plan Examination in • to provide a direct link for Public Panel Report, Lancashire Morecambe and Heysham County Council, in March 1998 traffic (particularly for port and resolved that a Green Route tourism traffic) and assist the (from M6 Junction 33 around the regeneration of the Lancaster west side of Galgate and and Morecambe area Lancaster and joining Phase 1 (particularly Heysham) and; south of the Lancaster City Retail Park) be adopted as the • to contribute as one of a preferred option for completion of number of measures, to the Heysham/M6 link. An solving the traffic problems of alternative route (known as the Lancaster, improving safety Orange Route) from M6 Junction and environmental conditions 34 around the north of the city there and enabling existing joining Phase 1 at Lancaster and road space to be used more Morecambe College was effectively to give priority to rejected. A third option (the Blue buses, cyclists and Route) also running west of the pedestrians. City to a new motorway junction 4.2.2 The Structure Plan does not at Bailrigg was also rejected. identify a specific route. Phase 1 of the scheme, the construction of 4.2.5 Following the County Council’s a road between the A589 decision, the City Council (Morecambe Road) and the Port proposed in its Pre-Inquiry of Heysham, was completed in Changes to safeguard the line of 1994. the Western (Green) Route in the Local Plan. A large number of 4.2.3 The need to complete the second objections were received. phase linking Phase 1 with the Following a lengthy debate at the M6 is becoming increasingly Local Plan Inquiry in early 1999, important. The Port of Heysham the Inspector, in his report of has continued to expand and has June 2000, concluded that, recently come under new principally in the light of potential ownership. The road is identified concerns about the landscape as a regionally significant and nature conservation impacts transport proposal to be of the Western (Green) Route completed by 2007 in (draft) (the route passes within 20m of Regional Planning Guidance for the Lune Estuary SSSI which is a the North West. Access to the nature conservation site of Port of Heysham is identified as a international importance), there Strategic Internal Route in the was no realistic prospect of a Regional Economic Strategy start on the project being made in produced by the North West the Plan period. In terms of the Development Agency. It is the Northern (Orange) route, he single major road scheme put concluded that, in the light of the forward in Lancashire County County Council’s commitment to Council’s Local Transport Plan the Green Route, there was which also proposes a number of similarly no prospect of the improvements to public transport, Northern (Orange) route being

• The Heysham/M6 link should 4.2.11 Both possible routes run remain the County’s top predominantly through land identified as open countryside, Green Belt, Urban Greenspace Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 104 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 and Green Corridor designations. ROAD AS A MATTER OF In these areas, major built PRIORITY. development is restricted for THE CITY COUNCIL WILL other reasons and there is little CONSULT THE COUNTY likelihood of the route being COUNCIL ON ANY prejudiced. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL WHICH COULD PREJUDICE 4.2.12 Where there is a possibility that a THE COUNTY COUNCIL’S development proposal could INTENTION, SET OUT IN prejudice either potential route, LANCASHIRE STRUCTURE the City Council will consult the PLAN POLICY 34, TO PROVIDE County Council on the relevant A HEYSHAM M6 LINK ROAD. planning application and resist proposals which the County Council considers could prejudice WHERE THE COUNTY the implementation of the COUNCIL, AS STRUCTURE scheme. Indicative lines are PLANNING AUTHORITY, shown on the plan opposite. ADVISES THAT A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL 4.2.13 This Local Plan will be the subject COULD PREJUDICE THE of an early alteration. The route, if IMPLEMENTATION OF finalised, will be incorporated and LANCASHIRE STRUCTURE safeguarded in a future edition of PLAN POLICY 34 INSOFAR AS the Plan. IT RELATES TO THE HEYSHAM-M6 LINK ROAD, THE THE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL WILL REFUSE SUPPORTS THE COMPLETION PLANNING PERMISSION FOR OF THE HEYSHAM-M6 LINK THAT DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL.

4.3.1 Most transport problems stem 4.3.6 These factors have focused from daily journeys in Lancaster, attention on ways of improving Morecambe and Heysham where use of existing local bus and rail around 100,000 people live in a services. tightly knit area of around 20 sq. km. This compact distribution of Railways housing, employment areas, schools, shops and other 4.3.7 The District has a rail network services contributes to the high which serves a large geographic proportion of relatively short area. The West Coast Main Line cross-town movements. links Lancaster with London and Scotland. The branch lines to 4.3.2 Over the next ten years, the Heysham, Barrow-in-Furness and number of short daily journeys Leeds bring rail services to will continue to grow. As many of Morecambe, Carnforth, these journeys could easily be Silverdale, Bare, Heysham undertaken by public transport, Harbour and Wennington. Off the positive measures are needed to main line, services are infrequent encourage people to use public and fares relatively high and this transport for local journeys and to is reflected in low levels of use. discourage car use. As Figure 14 illustrates, in 1991 only 460 people considered the 4.3.3 Local public transport is provided by both bus and rail services. A train to be their principal form of frequent train service connects transport to work. the centres of Lancaster and 4.3.8 Rail can, however, be a much Morecambe. However, despite quicker way of travelling between recent improvements to peak Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham hour services and a centre to and Carnforth. A rail journey centre journey time which between Lancaster and compares favourably with either Morecambe takes around 10 car or bus, relatively few people minutes and between Carnforth use the train to get to work. and Lancaster 8 minutes. At peak times, the corresponding journeys 4.3.4 In the long term new railway stations could help provide more by car can both take well over choice for local journeys. To allow half an hour to complete. Trains however struggle to compete with this to happen, it is important that the long term prospect of opening cars in terms of convenience and flexibility. new stations is not prejudiced by development. 4.3.9 The Local Plan cannot directly 4.3.5 Although some large cities such influence the decisions of the rail as Manchester and Sheffield operator. It can however put forward proposals that could have successfully introduced light rail and tram based transport encourage greater use of the railways. In particular it can systems, the limited size of the District’s urban population and identify opportunities for additional rail halts and look at the topography of the area suggests that it is unlikely that ways in which these and existing stations can be made more such a system could be cost- accessible. effective in the District.

appropriate, the development HEST BANK; and process contributes to the MOSSGATE, HEYSHAM. provision of rail facilities. 4.3.11 New stations require the support 4.3.15 The scope for new stations on the of the relevant train operating West Coast Main Line is company, Railtrack or its constrained by capacity issues at successor and the Rail Regulator. the present time although, if The City Council will work with design, siting, funding and these bodies and Lancashire capacity constraints can be County Council to make the overcome, there may be greatest possible use of the local opportunities for a station in the rail network. Bailrigg area. The platforms on the West Coast Main Line at 4.3.12 A recent County Council study Carnforth are currently unused looked at the potential for and may also represent a long establishing new railway stations term opportunity to improve rail in Lancashire. In Lancaster services. District, the County Council considered that the potential 4.3.16 Away from the West Coast Main existed for a new station at Hest Line, the potential exists to Bank and estimated that this provide new halts in locations could attract as many as 45,000 such as Westgate and Broadway single passenger journeys per and elsewhere on the annum and provide a valuable Morecambe and Heysham park and ride facility. branch line. There may also be potential to make greater use of 4.3.13 The Structure Plan requires land the Furness line and the to be safeguarded for a new Carnforth-Leeds line. station at Hest Bank but does not identify a site. The City Council 4.3.17 The design of any new stations will work with the County Council and halts must be carefully to identify a suitable site which controlled to maximise the will be protected from potential for integration with other development until it is required for modes of transport and to ensure a new station. that they are appropriate to their surroundings.

THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN POLICY T4 TERMS OF SITING, SCALE AND LANDSCAPING. DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD PREJUDICE 4.3.18 There is scope to increase the THE POSSIBILITY OF use of rail services by providing UPGRADING THE WEST better facilities for car, cycle and COAST MAIN LINE, THE motorcycle parking at stations, MORECAMBE AND HEYSHAM particularly at Morecambe and BRANCH LINE OR THE Carnforth in association with park CONSTRUCTION OF A RAIL and ride facilities. The Council will FREIGHT TERMINAL WITHIN work with the County Council, THE PORT OF HEYSHAM local rail user groups and the AREA WILL NOT BE railway companies to identify PERMITTED. ways in which additional parking could be made available in these Buses locations. 4.3.20 Future travel growth in the District THE CITY COUNCIL WILL, cannot be met by a TOGETHER WITH THE corresponding increase in car COUNTY COUNCIL, LOCAL use. The future development and RAIL USER GROUPS AND THE economic prosperity of the RAILWAY COMPANIES, District will involve a marked EXAMINE THE SCOPE FOR increase in bus use. PROVIDING DEDICATED PARKING TO SERVE PARK 4.3.21 The District’s local bus AND RIDE FACILITIES AT companies reach most of the CARNFORTH AND urban area. Along the main MORECAMBE STATIONS routes between Lancaster and Morecambe, buses run fairly regularly although frequency drops on the more local services. The linear shape of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham means that the main bus routes directly Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 108 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 link the District’s town centres and that in future more people will whilst serving a high proportion of choose to use them for daily the District’s population. Bus journeys. To help achieve this, operators, the City Council and the City Council; the County Council are seeking to reverse the long term decline in • has identified a primary bus travel to work by bus. corridor that will be safeguarded and freed from 4.3.22 There has already been major congestion and delay investment, both in new buses, wherever practicable by time-tabling and fare structures providing dedicated bus lanes and in bus priority measures and giving buses priority at information and infrastructure. key junctions; This has resulted in improvements to passenger • will seek to improve waiting comfort, reliability, image, value facilities, passenger for money and journey times. information and bus access; Ensuring that this process • will look to improve bus continues is essential to penetration in housing areas, encourage people to switch from places of work and town commuting by car. centres; and 4.3.23 The City Council can only • has chosen development influence some of these factors. areas which are either close It cannot determine the routing, to, or can be served from, the frequency and cost of bus main bus network. services. It can, however, make 4.3.25 It is clear that a major shift from sure that opportunities to car to bus will not happen enhance the bus service are not immediately, and that, for the prejudiced by development early part of the plan period at proposals. It can identify the main least, the Council will be putting bus routes and ensure that every in place foundations for a shift opportunity is taken to protect from private to public transport. A and improve their operation and significant shift from cars to that major new housing and buses will only take place if employment areas can be well people are convinced that buses served by bus. Most importantly, are quick, convenient and the City Council can work with the comfortable. This means that in County Council to reduce delays congested sections of road, experienced by buses by giving buses must be given a clear them an advantage over general advantage over cars with traffic. dedicated road space and priority 4.3.24 The City Council’s at key junctions. strategy is based on the assumption that buses will be the main alternative to the private car

Diagram 21 - The Primary Bus Route

in congestion. This will require The Primary Bus the introduction of bus priority Corridor measures. As long as buses are 4.3.26 The main existing bus routes link caught up in the same traffic jams Lancaster University and the as other road-users, there is little centres of Lancaster, Morecambe incentive for drivers to leave their and Heysham. Nearly half of the cars at home and use the bus urban population live within a 250 instead. metre walk of this route. These 4.3.28 It is clear that within the historic 48,000 people are potential users centre of Lancaster it will not be of an improved bus service. By possible to introduce bus lanes identifying these roads as the throughout the entire one-way Primary Bus Corridor, the City system. Bus lanes and other Council will work with the bus priority measures will, therefore, operators and the County Council be introduced in locations where to direct investment into a significant advantage over improving this route. It will also general traffic can be achieved concentrate efforts to provide bus without harming the fabric of the priority measures on the key centre. The first phase of stretches of this route. measures proposed are;

4.3.27 To achieve an attractive bus • a new southbound only bus service along the primary bus lane linking the existing bus corridor, it will be necessary to lane on Parliament Street to improve bus journey times Lancaster Bus Station; through Lancaster City Centre where buses are often caught up Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 109 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 • northbound bus priority County Council working in measures along Ashton Road partnership to improve the outside the Royal Lancashire Corridor. This will involve Infirmary; and investment in the bus priority measures set out above; and • an extension of the Morecambe Road bus lane at • physical measures aimed at Scale Hall. improving access to buses 4.3.29 The City Council will work with including raised bus stops to the County Council to obtain make buses more accessible funding for these proposals from to people with heavy the Government and will press for shopping, prams, pushchairs these measures to form a key or wheelchairs; element of future package bids • better bus shelters with within the County Council’s accurate, passenger friendly Transport Policy and Programme. and up-to-date route information; 4.3.30 The Primary Bus Corridor runs along normal roads through • better signing and well-lit areas subject to development footpath links to and from bus pressure. The City Council will stops; and ensure that development proposals on, or adjacent to the • provision of new or improved Primary Bus Corridor will not bus stations in Lancaster and prejudice its operation. In Morecambe. particular new junctions serving 4.3.32 Some of these developments housing or commercial sites will could be introduced as part of be kept to a minimum on the development proposals which primary bus routes and new uses affect bus routes. In other cases, in town centres requiring on- funds raised via Section 106 street servicing along a bus route developer contributions could will be resisted. also be used where those developments would benefit from POLICY T5 improved public transport.

THE ROUTES SHOWN ON THE 4.3.33 In conjunction with the County LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS Council and the bus operators, MAP ARE DESIGNATED AS the City Council will survey the THE PRIMARY BUS Primary Bus Route and prepare a CORRIDOR. DEVELOPMENT detailed action plan for WHICH WOULD ADVERSELY introducing improvements to the EFFECT THE EFFICIENT route. The study will recognise OPERATION OF BUSES OR that different sections of the route THE INTRODUCTION OF will perform different roles. For PRIORITY MEASURES WITHIN example, Morecambe Road and THIS CORRIDOR WILL BE South Road carry the main REFUSED through routes from outside the District. Here, there is a need for The Primary Bus fewer stops than on Torrisholme Road or Bowerham Road which Corridor Action Plan perform a more local function. 4.3.31 Designation of the Primary Bus 4.3.34 The Action Plan will also examine Corridor is the first stage in a long the scope for introducing more process which will involve bus bus priority measures such as operators, local transport user those on Morecambe Road and groups, businesses and the Parliament Street. The existing Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 110 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 bus lanes have given buses a POLICY T6 real advantage over cars. To date these measures have only been MAJOR DEVELOPMENT introduced on short stretches of PROPOSALS FOR THE road with space to construct a DAMSIDE AREA MUST MAKE bus lane without closing the route PROVISION FOR A NEW OR to other vehicles. Buses still have IMPROVED BUS STATION. no advantage on the river PROPOSALS WHICH crossings or through Lancaster PREJUDICE AN UPGRADED Centre. The Council’s objective is BUS STATION WILL BE to achieve a dedicated bus lane REFUSED. wherever practicable or Park and Ride necessary along the primary bus route, particularly on the 4.3.37 For most people who live outside approaches to Lancaster City the urban area and who do not Centre. have access to public transport, there are currently no practical IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL, BUS alternatives to the car. The Council has therefore looked at OPERATORS AND LOCAL TRANSPORT GROUPS, THE ways in which car parking can be CITY COUNCIL WILL PREPARE provided outside the City Centre AN ACTION PLAN FOR THE in locations that allow car users either to walk or to catch a bus for PRIMARY BUS ROUTE the rest of their journey. It has looked at the potential of sites Lancaster Bus Station located close to the edge of Lancaster City Centre and for 4.3.35 A key element of the action plan park and ride sites on the is the provision of a new bus periphery of the built-up area. station in Lancaster through the Capital Challenge Project. Lancaster bus station is in need Kingsway of improvement. The City Council 4.3.38 The City Council considers that will work with the County Council additional long-stay parking is and bus operators to develop only acceptable outside the City plans for a better bus station in Centre and located in a position Lancaster. In particular it will look which allows users to access the at ways in which passenger site without entering the City comfort and safety, especially for Centre. The Kingsway female passengers at night, can development site, identified be improved. earlier in the plan, has the 4.3.36 This measure will require the potential to provide a sizeable car support of the Department of park for commuters and longer Transport, the County Council, stay visitors to the City. It is local transport user groups, bus available for development and companies and businesses. It will offers an early opportunity to involve considerable consultation, introduce park and ride and park drafting of road closure orders and walk facilities. Car parking and inevitable fine tuning. All of provision on the Kingsway site this will take time. In the will be limited to that required to meantime, development which support development on the site could prejudice the introduction of and the replacement of city these measures will be resisted. centre car parking lost as a result of redevelopment. This will assist the intention set out the Lancashire Structure Plan to Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 111 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 progressively relocate long-stay BE PERMITTED WHERE parking to sites outside the City APPROXIMATELY 300 PUBLIC Centre. Any development PARKING SPACES, proposal must provide APPROPRIATE BUS STOPS satisfactory access and egress to AND IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN and from the site. AND CYCLE LINKS ARE PROVIDED AS PART OF THE 4.3.39 The Kingsway site is within DEVELOPMENT. walking distance of the City Centre, located on the Primary Bus Corridor and could intercept Edge of Town Sites traffic arriving from Caton Road, the A6 north and Morecambe 4.3.41 Bus based Park and Ride schemes have been introduced in Road before it enters the main one-way system. Car users would a number of towns around the have the choice either of walking country such as York, Chester to the City Centre or catching a and Bath. Most of these services have been introduced to cater for bus. The site could provide additional shopper car parking shoppers and tourists in towns where demand for car parking far and offers the potential to introduce a park and ride bus outweighs supply. Latterly some service at weekends and possibly towns have been looking to at other busy times such as the extend their service to cater for commuters. In Lancaster District, Christmas period or during a festival or event. where many workers and shoppers live in areas poorly 4.3.40 This site could accommodate served by public transport, the more than 300 vehicles on one car will continue to be the main level. Being close to the riverside means of transport for many and the Lancaster Canal, the site people. Park and ride could offer would also provide an ideal a way in which many of these car reception point for visitors to drivers could be discouraged Lancaster. Redevelopment of the from entering the central area. site should therefore also include toilet facilities as well as 4.3.42 The County Council’s current Transport Policies and information boards, street plans etc. The site forms part of an area Programmes sets out how Park and Ride services operating earmarked for comprehensive development in Policy EC18. along Caton Road, Slyne Road, Scotforth Road and Morecambe Development proposals must therefore include better road Road could help relieve the District’s transport problems. It linkages between the river crossings, Caton Road and the does not, however, identify any main one-way system and specific sites. improved and safer pedestrian 4.3.43 It is unlikely that a park and ride and cycle routes through and service would succeed in across the Kingsway area to the Lancaster until the changes in car City Centre. parking management proposed elsewhere in the Local Plan are POLICY T7 implemented or until there is a significant boost to Lancaster’s PROPOSALS FOR THE retail or tourist attractions. Travel COMPREHENSIVE patterns, parking demands and DEVELOPMENT OF THE the impact of the policies set out KINGSWAY SITE IDENTIFIED in this plan will be monitored, ON THE LOCAL PLAN therefore and, in conjunction with PROPOSALS MAP WILL ONLY

4.3.44 In the interim, the City Council will ARE APPROPRIATE TO concentrate on the development THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN of the Park and Walk and peak TERMS OF SITING, SCALE Park and Ride ideas for the AND LANDSCAPING AND; Kingsway site set out under Policy T7. CAN BE DEMONSTRATED, 4.3.45 Park and Ride sites may be BY MEANS OF A extensive and generate a lot of TRANSPORT local traffic. They should be ASSESSMENT, TO BE satisfactorily integrated with their SITED AND MANAGED TO surroundings and avoid adverse ENSURE THAT THE noise and visual impact. Park and PROPOSAL RESULTS IN Ride sites may also require INCREASED PUBLIC extensive landscaping. There is TRANSPORT USE AND also a concern that Park and REDUCED CAR Ride sites may encourage JOURNEYS. existing public transport users to Providing for Buses in drive to park and ride sites. New Development POLICY T8 4.3.46 In the past, some new housing estates have been designed THE CITY COUNCIL WILL, IN without fully taking into account CONJUNCTION WITH THE the needs of bus operators. In the COUNTY COUNCIL AND BUS future, developers of new OPERATORS, EXAMINE THE housing and employment areas CASE FOR PARK AND RIDE will be expected to ensure that CAR PARKS IN THE roads within the site allow buses FOLLOWING LOCATIONS AND to use them efficiently and that INTRODUCE PARK AND RIDE consideration is given to the SERVICES WHEN integration of bus stops, local APPROPRIATE AND services and linking footpaths. GENERALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROGRAMME 4.3.47 It is important that all dwellings CONTAINED IN THE LOCAL within a new development area TRANSPORT PLAN; have reasonable access to a bus stop. Developers will therefore be CATON ROAD (A683) expected to ensure that all MORECAMBE RD(A589) dwellings are located within a 5 SCOTFORTH RD (A6 SOUTH) minute walk of an existing or SLYNE ROAD (A6 NORTH) proposed bus route. In most cases, this will be around 400 PARK AND RIDE SITES WILL metres although this will be less if ONLY BE PERMITTED WHICH; the route involves significant inclines in either direction. DO NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE 4.3.48 On sites without existing bus IMPACT ON THE services, it may be some years AMENITIES OF NEARBY before the number of residents RESIDENTS AND reaches a level which makes BUSINESSES; running a service a viable proposition. In these cases,

ALL NEW HOUSING AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR TRAVEL SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MAXIMISE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR USING PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND SHOULD BE LOCATED AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO EXISTING OR PROPOSED BUS SERVICES. WHERE APPROPRIATE PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE LINKS TO BUS STOPS SHOULD BE PROVIDED.

ON THE PROPOSED LANCASTER MOOR (NORTH AND SOUTH) HOUSING SITES, DEVELOPMENT WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE THE ROAD LAYOUT ALLOWS THE OPERATION OF A FULL BUS SERVICE THROUGH THE SITE ON AN EXISTING OR PLANNED BUS ROUTE.

WHERE A SITE IS CURRENTLY POORLY

STREET SHOWN ON THE Lancaster LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS 4.4.1 The City Council considers that MAP IS RESERVED FOR ROAD major new road building is CONSTRUCTION AND inappropriate in Lancaster City JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS. Centre. It has therefore looked at DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS ways in which existing road WHICH WOULD PREJUDICE space can be better used by THE IMPLEMENTATION OF making relatively minor changes THESE CHANGES WILL BE to the road network and how REFUSED improvements can be achieved through better management of POLICY T11 road space and car parking. The City Council proposes to DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS complement the proposals for WHICH WOULD PREJUDICE bus priority measures by working THE CITY COUNCIL’S with the County Council to; INTENTION TO RELIEVE THE BULK ROAD/ALFRED STREET • create a new road link AREA FROM THROUGH between Back Caton Road TRAFFIC, IMPROVE ACCESS and St Leonardgate to FOR SHOPPERS AND provide relief for the VISITORS TO THE EAST SIDE residential Bulk Road and CAR PARKS AND IMPROVE Alfred Street area and better LINKS BETWEEN NORTH access for shoppers and ROAD AND CABLE STREET visitors to and from the east WILL BE REFUSED side car parks. The necessary land for this road link will be Church Street reserved. This road will not be designed as an alternative Pedestrianisation route for through traffic; 4.4.3 An important element of the • create an all purpose route Council’s proposals for the between North Road and Damside area is improving Cable Street, improving pedestrian links between the bus access to the northern part of station and the main shopping the City Centre for traffic from streets. To help achieve this and the north and east and to provide a boost for traders, it is thereby reducing the need for proposed to pedestrianise this traffic to use the central Church Street between New one-way gyratory system. Street and Cheapside. 4.4.2 Details of the alterations which POLICY T12 will have to be made to the highway to accommodate these ACCESS TO THE SECTION OF changes will be agreed with the CHURCH STREET BETWEEN County Council and implemented NEW STREET AND through the Lancashire Local CHEAPSIDE SHOWN ON THE Transport Plan. LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP IS RESTRICTED BY POLICY T10 TRAFFIC REGULATION ORDER. LAND BETWEEN BACK CATON ROAD, ST LEONARDGATE AND EDWARD Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 116 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 THE CITY COUNCIL WILL, AS parking are introduced. These A MATTER OF PRIORITY, policies are in line with IMPLEMENT A SCHEME OF Lancashire County Council’s RESURFACING AND policies as set out in the Structure ENVIRONMENTAL Plan. These propose that there IMPROVEMENTS TO ENABLE shall be no overall increase in car THE USE OF CHURCH STREET parking levels in major centres IN ACCORDANCE WITH THAT such as Lancaster and that ORDER. provision should progressively switch from long to short-stay Car Parking parking. 4.4.4 The creation of the Primary Bus 4.4.7 If Lancaster is to maintain and Route will lay the foundations for develop its shopping and tourism a future in which the bus will play role, it must compete with nearby a more prominent role. centres for trade. To help reduce Encouraging more people to use the need for travel, Lancaster the buses however will involve a should provide as many services range of measures. In particular as possible for local residents. there must be complementary One of the main factors which measures to discourage car use influences where people shop is where the bus provides a realistic the ease with which car parking alternative. One of the main ways can be found and how much it in which local plan policies can be costs to park. used to discourage non-essential Figure 16 – Off-Street Parking Provision car-use is through the provision in Lancaster Centre 1996 and management of car parking in Lancaster City Centre. Shopper / All Day Total 4.4.5 The supply and management of Visitor Spaces Commuter No Time car parking in the centre is a Restrictions

crucial element in the City City Council 810 short-stay 235 Council’s transport strategy. As Owned 890 long-stay

long as parking is freely or Privately 25 short-stay 1060 cheaply available in or near the Owned 50 long-stay

central area, many people will continue to use their cars. Attached to 500 major retail Changing travelling habits will be stores

a gradual process. Bus priority Total 2275 1295 3570 measures will take some time to achieve a major shift to public transport and will not, in any 4.4.8 Surveys of car parking usage case, meet all transport needs. carried out in November 1995 There will still be a need to cater show that most off-street public for shoppers and other visitors to car parks in Lancaster were used the City and to provide for people to capacity for much of a typical who do not have access to public weekday and on Saturdays. The transport. surveys also revealed a significant increase in usage 4.4.6 The Council’s proposals are since a similar survey was carried based on the need to provide out in 1991. sufficient parking to meet the economic needs of the centre 4.4.9 There is evidence to suggest that and to progressively reduce all Lancaster Centre has insufficient day parking for people working in car parking to cater for current the centre as measures such as and likely future demand. bus priority and edge of centre However the large scale Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 117 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 development of new car parks • residential streets close to within the City Centre would be Lancaster City Centre (500); inappropriate in Lancaster and be contrary to the Structure Plan. It • private non-residential car is important therefore that parks within the central core existing public car parks within area of the City (500). the main commercial centre of 4.4.11 Many of these car users could Lancaster are used to their use other forms of transport or maximum potential and that out-of-centre car parks such as spaces lost to development are Kingsway. The City Council will replaced. assist this process by:

POLICY T13 • progressively introducing residents parking schemes in WITHIN THE LANCASTER streets close to Lancaster CENTRAL PARKING AREA, City Centre; PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD REDUCE THE LEVEL OF • increasing the proportion of SHOPPER/VISITOR PARKING short-stay parking for WILL BE REFUSED. shoppers and visitors on its off-street car parks; EXCEPTIONS WILL ONLY BE • encouraging the MADE WHERE ADEQUATE redevelopment of privately COMPENSATORY PROVISION owned commuter car parking IS MADE ELSEWHERE IN THE and Council owned contract AREA. parking;

PROPOSALS FOR • providing alternative spaces ADDITIONAL SHOPPER/ on the Kingsway development VISITOR CAR PARKING WILL site. ONLY BE ALLOWED WHERE CAR PARKING IN CENTRAL THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY AN LANCASTER WILL BE EQUIVALENT REDUCTION IN MANAGED. ENCOURAGE THE ALL DAY COMMUTER SHORT-STAY SHOPPER AND PARKING VISITOR CAR PARKING AND REDUCE THE USE OF SUCH Managing Car Parking in PARKING BY COMMUTERS. Lancaster Centre Coach Parking

4.4.10 As the provision of major new car parks in Lancaster City Centre is 4.4.12 Coach parking will become more not considered appropriate, important as Lancaster develops additional shopper and visitor car its role as a visitor destination. At parking can only be created by the moment, coaches can drop using spaces currently occupied passengers off in the City Centre by long-stay commuters. This and lay up at Water Street. This would have the additional benefit is however only a temporary of encouraging commuters to arrangement and the site at seek alternative forms of travel. Water Street has been Surveys have shown that on a earmarked for development for a typical weekday, commuters number of years. The City occupy at least 1300 spaces in Council will work with the County and around the City Centre using; Council and coach operators to identify potential sites once a • public off-street parking timetable is known for the spaces (300); redevelopment of the Water

discouraging car use by THE CITY COUNCIL WILL commuters. Within this area, the REFUSE PLANNING Council will not permit proposals PERMISSION WHERE THE which include staff parking and APPLICANT IS UNWILLING TO will instead negotiate a MAKE A REASONABLE contribution towards the Council’s CONTRIBUTION TO transport and city centre MEASURES TO MANAGE THE improvement proposals described DEMAND FOR TRAVEL. elsewhere in the Local Plan. This requirement will only be relaxed Residential in exceptional circumstances Development and other where the applicant can proposals outside the demonstrate an overriding need Lancaster Central for car parking such as for the Parking Area use of a disabled person. 4.4.18 For residential development and POLICY T15 other proposals outside the Lancaster Central Parking Area, WITHIN THE LANCASTER the City Council will apply the CENTRAL PARKING AREA appropriate County Council SHOWN ON THE LOCAL PLAN standards. It will, however, take a PROPOSALS MAP, NON- flexible attitude to proposals for RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT housing development in or close WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED to Lancaster City Centre. In WHERE NO CUSTOMER OR appropriate circumstances, STAFF CAR PARKING IS proposals which are PROVIDED. accompanied by reduced levels of parking will be permitted. IN CONSIDERING PROPOSALS WHICH WOULD INCREASE 4.4.19 The Council will also take a THE DEMAND TO TRAVEL positive approach to the needs of INTO LANCASTER CENTRE, disabled drivers and people who THE COUNCIL WILL transport disabled people. In NEGOTIATE WITH these instances, the Council will DEVELOPERS THE ensure that parking spaces are CONCLUSION OF A SECTION the correct size, allow easy 106 AGREEMENT WHICH, IN access in and out of cars and CONFORMITY WITH THE parking spaces and are located ADVICE OF CIRCULAR 1/97 as close as possible to entrances SECURES THE PAYMENT OF A with a level route between. COMMUTED SUM TOWARDS SECURING ADEQUATE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE SITE BY ALL MODES WITH THE EMPHASIS ON ACHIEVING THE GREATEST DEGREE OF ACCESS BY PUBLIC Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 120 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 POLICY T16 these streets with payment being made by pre-paid vouchers or DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS pay and display tickets. The City OTHER THAN PROPOSALS Council, in conjunction with the FOR NON-RESIDENTIAL County Council, will monitor the DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE impact of the scheme and its LANCASTER CENTRAL effect on parking demand on off- PARKING AREA WILL ONLY street car parks and residential BE PERMITTED WHERE streets. PARKING PROVISION SATISFIES THE LANCASHIRE Parking in Residential COUNTY COUNCIL CAR Areas PARKING STANDARDS AS SET OUT IN APPENDIX 6 4.4.22 In and around Lancaster City Centre, many residential streets WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS are used by motorists for free all LIKELY TO INCREASE THE day car parking. Most of these DEMAND FOR TRAVEL, THE streets are made up of dense COUNCIL WILL NEGOTIATE terraced housing with little or no WITH DEVELOPERS THE off-street parking. Residents can CONCLUSION OF A SECTION find it difficult to park near their 106 AGREEMENT WHICH, IN properties during the day and are CONFORMITY WITH THE subject to the dangers of ADVICE OF CIRCULAR 1/97, motorists driving round the area SECURES THE PAYMENT OF A looking for somewhere to park. COMMUTED SUM TOWARDS SECURING ADEQUATE 4.4.23 The City Council has begun to ACCESSIBILITY TO THE SITE introduce residents parking BY ALL MODES WITH THE schemes in these streets and, in EMPHASIS ON ACHIEVING conjunction with local residents, THE GREATEST DEGREE OF will continue to introduce more ACCESS BY PUBLIC schemes where appropriate. TRANSPORT, WALKING AND A PROGRAMME OF PARKING CYCLING. MANAGEMENT SCHEMES

GIVING PREFERENCE TO Monitoring LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN RESIDENTIAL 4.4.20 The policies set out above STREETS IN AND AROUND represent a radical change from LANCASTER CITY CENTRE existing policies and will take FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS some time to implement fully. WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS During this period, the City Council will monitor the effects of policy changes as they are Green Travel Plans implemented and review the 4.4.24 A high proportion of peak hour Local Plan in the light of this traffic is generated by information. commuters, many of whom benefit from free or subsidised On-street Parking car parking. Many major employers are either located 4.4.21 The 400 or so on-street parking within or on the edge of spaces in Lancaster City Centre Lancaster City Centre or close to are popular locations for short- the Primary Bus Corridor. The stay parking particularly with local City Council will encourage all drivers. The County Council has existing major employers and recently introduced charging on Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 121 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 educational establishments to development proposal and its prepare green travel plans which relationship with existing public set targets for reducing car use. transport, cycle and pedestrian networks. Issues which Green 4.4.25 When considering development Travel Plans might address could proposals which would be likely include measures to encourage to generate large numbers of employees to use public daily journeys, including the transport, cycle or walk to work, significant expansion of existing or to car share. trip generators, the City Council will require a Green Travel Plan POLICY T17 to accompany the planning application. A Green Travel Plan DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS will be required for the following LIKELY TO GENERATE LARGE categories of development; NUMBERS OF DAILY JOURNEYS, INCLUDING THE • Retail and Leisure SIGNIFICANT EXPANSION OF Development of more than EXISTING TRIP GENERATORS 1000 sq. m gross; MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A • Employment development of GREEN TRAVEL PLAN. more than 2500 sq. m gross; WHERE THE DEVELOPER IS • Hospital and Higher UNWILLING TO MEET Education Development of REASONABLE TARGETS FOR more than 2500 sq. m gross; MINIMISING THE PROPORTION • Sports venues with a capacity OF JOURNEYS MADE TO THE of more than 1500 spectators; SITE BY CAR, DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. 4.4.26 Green Travel Plans may be required for smaller developments which are likely to generate significant amounts of travel or where there are particular local traffic problems. 4.4.27 The Green Travel Plan should address the number of trips likely to be generated by the proposal and the measures that will be taken to encourage travel by means other than the private car. The level of information required will depend upon the scale of development proposed and, in the case of existing places of employment, the net gain of jobs. Where appropriate, targets should be set for minimising car journeys. Where developers are unwilling to meet reasonable targets for reducing car travel, development will not be permitted. 4.4.28 The nature of a Green Travel Plan will vary according to the nature and scale of the

4.5.1 Transport difficulties in Morecambe are less pronounced Marine Road than in Lancaster. Most day-to- 4.5.3 Marine Road is an important part day problems arise from of Morecambe’s road network congestion tailing back from the catering for north-south two-way river crossings and Lancaster traffic and providing access to the City Centre. Heavy goods central Promenade. However, its vehicles can now reach the Port role as the main road between of Heysham by using Phase 1 of Coastal Road and White Lund the Morecambe-Heysham By- has diminished after the opening pass whilst the new section of of Phase 1 of the Lancaster and Central Drive has improved Morecambe By-pass. Given this, access to the Central Promenade the central stretch of Marine area. However, as Morecambe Road between Lord Street and attracts more visitors, more cars Central Drive could perform a may travel to the seafront area more local function with greater and queues could become priority being given to pedestrians increasingly common at peak and cyclists. To achieve this, it is times. Until a Heysham-M6 Link proposed to remodel this stretch Road is completed, most of these of Marine Road by; vehicles will have to reach Morecambe via the existing road • implementing a network and river crossings. comprehensive programme of traffic calming measures 4.5.2 It is important that the aimed at increasing regeneration of Morecambe is not pedestrian priority; hampered by poor access and that local residents are not • creating new safe and inconvenienced by increasing convenient pedestrian traffic levels. It is therefore crossing points; proposed to: • reducing the carriageway • give greater priority to width and building lay-bys pedestrians and cyclists along parallel to the landward side Morecambe Seafront by of Marine Road for coaches, managing road space, parking and loading; and slowing traffic speeds and • on the seaward side of improving crossing facilities; Marine Road, removing on- • directly address the parking street parking and creating and servicing needs of off-street parking areas. businesses located in central 4.5.4 The proposals will be Morecambe, particularly implemented as a matter of hotels and restaurants priority and planning applications catering for car and coach which fail to make a positive borne trade; and contribution to these improvements will be refused. • provide secure overnight coach parking for both day visits and overnight stops.

Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 124 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 To ensure that Morecambe’s Parking Requirements regeneration is not undermined 4.5.7 Morecambe’s car parks serve by losing valuable parking both visitors to the town and the spaces, proposals to redevelop day-to-day needs of residents existing car parks within the using the shops and other Central Promenade area, which services in the Town Centre. are currently available for public Whilst there appears to be use, will not be permitted. As sufficient car parking to meet the some car parks are not formally daily needs of residents, there is marked out or used to their a shortage of parking to meet maximum potential, in assessing visitor demands. This is what constitutes a net loss of particularly so at peak visitor parking, the City Council will take times when drivers looking for a into account both the present parking space cause congestion capacity of the site and the along Marine Road and in number of vehicles it could residential streets in the Town accommodate if marked out Centre and West End. properly. The Council will also manage its car parks in 4.5.8 As Morecambe increases its Morecambe to discourage the range of visitor attractions, it will use of visitor and shopper car attract more day-trippers who will parks by commuters. spend longer in the resort. This will generate additional parking POLICY T19 requirements. At the moment, there are around 1800 off-street WITHIN MORECAMBE TOWN and 600 on-street parking spaces CENTRE, THE in the central area (including the REDEVELOPMENT OF THE Battery Breakwater) which cater VISITOR/SHOPPER CAR principally for visitors. If PARKS SHOWN ON THE Morecambe attracted the same LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS number of day visitors as it did in MAP WHICH WOULD RESULT 1987 (900,000 per annum), this IN A NET LOSS OF COACH OR would generate a peak day CAR PARKING SPACES, requirement for around 2500 ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL, WILL parking spaces which leaves a NOT BE PERMITTED theoretical shortfall of some 700 Coach Parking spaces. 4.5.11 There is a continuing need for 4.5.9 Although it will be possible to coach parking in Morecambe. create some new car parking in Within the Central Promenade future phases of development, area, coach dropping-off points the potential for major increases are available on Central Drive is extremely limited. This and close to the new railway emphasises the importance of station. Secure coach parking is protecting and managing the also available within the existing stock of car parking Frontierland Coach Park. These spaces. facilities should be sufficient to 4.5.10 The main off-street parking areas meet demand for the immediate serving central Morecambe are future. located within the Central 4.5.12 At the eastern end of Promenade area, along Central Morecambe, there is a Drive and at Pedder Street. Some concentration of larger hotels are in private ownership and which are particularly dependent have, in the past, been the upon coach trade. Here there is a subject of development inquiries. Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 125 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 need for dropping off points central stretch of the seafront by alongside Marine Road and for switching the emphasis from on- overnight parking reasonably street to off-street parking. On the close to the hotels. The previous seaward side of the road, this overnight coach parking facility should take the form of purpose- on the Poulton Market site is no built off-street car parks linked to longer available due to the the main visitor attractions on the redevelopment of the site. The Promenade. On the landward City Council will therefore side, lay-bys should be created to investigate options for alternative provide parking and servicing provision and ensure that space for the businesses located proposals to redesign Marine here. Road in this area make adequate provision for coach dropping off POLICY T20 points. BETWEEN LORD STREET AND CENTRAL DRIVE, PROPOSALS Parking on Morecambe TO REMODEL MARINE ROAD Seafront AND MORECAMBE SEAFRONT 4.5.13 The City Council is proposing a WHICH RESULT IN THE LOSS wide range of measures aimed at OF ON-STREET PARKING improving the appearance, safety MUST PROVIDE and range of attractions on the COMPENSATORY OFF- central stretch of Morecambe STREET SHORT-STAY VISITOR seafront. These include PARKING AND COACH remodelling Marine Road, Phase DROPPING OFF POINTS. 5 of the Coastal Protection works PROPOSALS WHICH FAIL TO and the development of the PROVIDE THESE FACILITIES TERN public art project. These WILL BE REFUSED. initiatives will radically alter Morecambe’s seafront, attract Parking in Residential more visitors and residents to this Areas part of town and increase car- parking demands. 4.5.16 In the Poulton, Central and West 4.5.14 Along Marine Road, on-street End areas of Morecambe, cars parking on either side of the parked by visitors and workers carriageway means that there is can cause road safety problems effectively only one lane of traffic in many streets and in either direction. This flow is inconvenience to local residents. disrupted by constant movements These areas are likely to see in and out of parking spaces and extensive change during the life by motorists driving slowly, of the Local Plan as looking for a vacant space. As implementation of the Council’s Marine Road will continue to be regeneration policies proceeds. an important local distributor This level of change will alter the road, ways of improving balance between parking needed pedestrian safety and access to for residential and business the Seafront should be developed purposes. The City Council which do not compromise this intends to monitor the effect of role. change in the Poulton, Central and West End areas and 4.5.15 The extensive engineering works introduce parking management associated with the coastal works schemes aimed at giving priority and remodelling of Marine Road to local residents where provide an opportunity to improve necessary. The City Council is car parking provision along the Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 126 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 aware that there remain a sizeable number of hotels and guesthouses in these areas. It will therefore concentrate on those streets which are predominantly residential in character. A PROGRAMME OF PARKING MANAGEMENT SCHEMES GIVING PREFERENCE TO LOCAL RESIDENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED IN RESIDENTIAL STREETS IN THE POULTON, CENTRAL AND WEST END AREAS OF MORECAMBE FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS

Poulton Market 4.5.17 The relocation of Poulton Market and the subsequent redevelopment of the site for housing and open space will be accompanied by the introduction of residents parking schemes and other traffic management measures in nearby streets. The Poulton area is densely developed. Many houses have been converted to flats or bedsits and the proposed parking and traffic management measures will not provide enough parking to meet all the needs of the area. It is therefore intended to incorporate a neighbourhood parking area in the scheme of redevelopment and to manage the scheme to favour local residents. POLICY T21

PROPOSALS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE POULTON MARKET SITE SHALL INCORPORATE A NEIGHBOURHOOD PARKING AREA

4.6.1 Carnforth lies on a transport • direct through traffic to corridor which contains the existing main routes and Lancaster Canal, the M6 deter it from entering motorway, the A6 principal road, residential areas; the West Coast Main Line and railway lines to Barrow in Furness • focus on small-scale and Leeds. The town therefore initiatives such as more has strong and long-standing convenient and safer transport associations. Despite pedestrian crossings; being close to the M6, traffic • investigate the possibility of through Carnforth Town Centre removing on-street parking has continued to grow and its from Market Street; and roads have become increasingly congested. Narrow roads and • protect existing facilities at footways through the centre of Carnforth Station and car Carnforth contribute to parking associated with it, unpleasant and dangerous which serves both the town conditions for pedestrians and centre and the rail service; cyclists. Much of this traffic takes POLICY T22 the form of vehicles travelling between M6 Junction 35 and DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS destinations north and west of WHICH WOULD GENERATE Carnforth where there are a SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF number of heavy transport users. ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC ON CARNFORTH’S MAIN ROAD 4.6.2 Carnforth’s traffic problems are NETWORK WILL NOT BE long standing. Despite the best PERMITTED efforts of the local authorities concerned, these are likely to remain throughout the local plan Traffic Management period unless there is significant investment in a northern by-pass 4.6.4 Carnforth and a number of rural to the town. Unfortunately, there villages experience considerable is no indication that the funding volumes of through traffic. This needed to progress this major problem is particularly bad in scheme is likely to come forward villages such as Warton and the in the near future. Kellets which lie on routes used by quarry traffic, whilst both 4.6.3 The City Council’s strategy is Galgate and Cowan Bridge have therefore to; main A roads running through the centre of the villages. In the Lune • limit the growth of the town Valley, villages such as Caton, until there is significant Hornby, Melling, Tunstall and investment in transport Burrow also experience infrastructure and refuse significant volumes of through development proposals which traffic. In Glasson, increasing would generate significant volumes of HGV traffic to and levels of additional traffic on from the dock area is also the town’s road network; causing concern. This traffic also • continue to encourage the affects Cockerham. relocation of non-conforming traffic generating uses to more appropriate sites; Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 128 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 4.6.5 Over the years, the County permitted if accompanied by a Council has introduced small- clear, detailed indication of how scale traffic management parking restrictions can be schemes in locations such as enforced. In most cases, this will Tunstall and Caton and the require the submission of a fully Department of Transport has worked up management plan. introduced traffic calming on the The Council will work with parish A65 through Cowan Bridge. The councils to resolve local parking City Council will continue to press problems. for similar schemes elsewhere in the rural area where problems POLICY T23 are identified. In particular it will continue to look at ways in which PROPOSALS TO INCREASE the impact of quarry traffic from ON-SITE VISITOR PARKING IN Middlebarrow Quarry can be THE COUNTRYSIDE WILL reduced. ONLY BE APPROVED WHERE THE APPLICANT CAN THE CITY COUNCIL WILL, IN DEMONSTRATE TO THE CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNCIL’S SATISFACTION COUNTY COUNCIL, PROMOTE THAT; TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES IN CARNFORTH THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND THE RURAL AREAS IN AND ROAD SAFETY RESPONSE TO IDENTIFIED BENEFITS OF INCREASING PROBLEMS ON-SITE PARKING WILL OUTWEIGH THE IMPACT OF ATTRACTING Car Parking at Visitor SIGNIFICANT LEVELS OF Destinations in Rural ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC TO Areas THE SITE;

4.6.6 At many of the District’s popular PARKING MANAGEMENT tourist attractions, car-parking MEASURES CAN BE demand can exceed supply. In INTRODUCED TO locations such as Leighton Moss RESOLVE ANY EXISTING and Silverdale, this frequently PARKING PROBLEMS results in cars being parked on ASSOCIATED WITH THE roadside verges. This can result OPERATION OF THE SITE; in erosion and traffic dangers. AND The City Council considers that,

whilst increasing car parking EVERY EFFORT HAS BEEN provision may attract more car TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE users, there are instances where TRAVEL BY MEANS environmental and road safety OTHER THAN THE considerations may override PRIVATE CAR; AND these concerns. The Council will

therefore look at each case on its THE PROPOSAL MAKES merits. SATISFACTORY 4.6.7 If it can be demonstrated that ARRANGEMENTS FOR additional on-site car parking will ACCESS, SERVICING, help to relieve pressure for on- CYCLE AND CAR road parking around a visitor PARKING. attraction, proposals will only be

Diagram 22 – The Strategic Cycle Network

4.7.1 In 1991, around 15% of people in increasingly important recreational the District walked to work. In pastimes. housing areas close to the District’s town centres over a third of people The Cycling Strategy walk to work. In terms of day-to-day movements to and from the centres 4.7.3 In a district that contains a densely of Lancaster, Morecambe and developed urban area, there is Carnforth, walking can be quicker, considerable potential to increase cheaper and healthier than driving the number of people who regularly from many surrounding areas. walk or cycle to work and places of education. Increased emphasis is 4.7.2 By comparison in 1991 only 4% of being placed on improving facilities people cycled to work, slightly more for pedestrians and cyclists in DoT than in 1981. This increase is funding settlements. The current probably as a result of Local Transport Plan for Lancaster improvements to the cycle network. District contains a number of such Cycling and walking are also initiatives. The City Council has

V V V V V V E V V SECTION OF THE CYCLE V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V S V V V V E S S V S V V NETWORK WILL ONLY BE A V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V S V PERMITTED WHERE AN S V V E V V V V V

J V

V V

U U A V V V V A V V V A V VV ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATIVE © Crown copyright. A V V V V AllV rights reserved. A V V U J V ROUTE HAS BEEN PROVIDED U L V V V LancasterV V City A V V V E V WHICH IS AT LEAST V Council Licence S V V V V V V E V No. LA 078379V V V COMPARABLE WITH THAT LOST V V V V V 2002. V V

IN TERMS OF ENVIRONMENT, A A E

QUALITY AND CONVENIENCE. U U

V V V A V V V V E V V V V V V V

4.7.5 The Lancaster river crossings are Diagram 22 – New River Lune Bridge the biggest single obstacle to cyclists and pedestrians travelling The National Cycle between Lancaster and Network Morecambe. Carlisle Bridge can 4.7.7 The north west of England section only be used by climbing a difficult of the National Cycle Network will flight of steps and is very narrow Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 131 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 run through the District. The particularly important in the new National Cycle Network is a housing and employment areas visionary project created by the proposed in the Local Plan. Here charity Sustrans aimed at creating a developers will be expected to 6,000 mile network of cycle routes provide footpaths and cycle ways covering the length and breadth of through the site and direct and safe Britain. The network will provide a off-road links with surrounding linked series of traffic-free paths areas. and traffic-calmed minor roads. Its implementation is being supported 4.7.10 Developers will also be expected to by a £43.5m grant from the provide adequate levels of secure Millennium Commission. The and convenient cycle parking within precise line through Lancaster their proposals. Such provision District has yet to be finalised. The must meet the County Council’s City Council will however assist minimum standards and may, Sustrans in identifying the most where appropriate, be required to appropriate route and aiding its exceed these. implementation where possible. POLICY T26

Footpath Improvements WHERE DEVELOPMENT

PROPOSALS INCLUDE OR LIE 4.7.8 Improving the provision and CLOSE TO THE STRATEGIC condition of footpaths is an CYCLE NETWORK, THE CITY important way of encouraging COUNCIL WILL NEGOTIATE people to undertake more journeys WITH DEVELOPERS LINKS AND on foot. Although the maintenance IMPROVEMENTS TO THE and improvement of adopted NETWORK. pavements is beyond the scope of this Local Plan, there is scope to PROPOSALS FOR NON- improve footpath links between RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT residential areas and workplaces, WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED shops and other services. There is WHERE CONVENIENT AND also considerable scope to improve SECURE CYCLE PARKING the safety and condition of FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED IN pedestrian routes to schools. LINE WITH THE COUNTY Where needed, the Council will COUNCIL’S STANDARDS. provide new footpath links, resolve problems such as poor lighting and Development Affecting surfacing and surfacing and ensure Public Rights of Way that routes are free of obstruction. 4.7.11 Wherever possible, existing public FOOTPATH LINKS BETWEEN rights of way should be maintained HOUSING AREAS, SCHOOLS, and the network extended when the CENTRES OF EMPLOYMENT opportunity arises. Wherever AND LOCAL AND DISTRICT possible, developers will be SHOPPING CENTRES WILL BE expected to retain rights of way or, IMPROVED exceptionally, provide a diversion New Development which is at least equal to that lost in terms of convenience and condition 4.7.9 There is considerable scope to and is available for use before the improve and extend the cycle and existing route is closed. Developers footpath network by ensuring that, will also be expected to provide wherever practical, new housing links between the existing rights of and commercial developments link way network and new housing and into the network. This will be community facilities.

DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS THAT WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT THE ROUTE OR CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXISTING OR PROPOSED RIGHT OF WAY WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE A SATISFACTORY DIVERSION CAN BE PROVIDED AND SECURED IN ADVANCE OF DEVELOPMENT.

WHERE A DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL LIES CLOSE TO, OR INCLUDES, A PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL REQUIRE DEVELOPERS TO PROVIDE SAFE AND CONVENIENT PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLE LINKS TO NEW DWELLINGS AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.

5. Environmental Protection and Enhancement

This part of the Local Plan seeks to manage change in the urban and rural environment over the next 10 years. The City Council aims to protect and enhance the diversity of landscape, townscape and wildlife habitats which provides Lancaster District with one of the highest quality environments in the North West of England. It also seeks to improve environmental conditions where these are unsatisfactory through landscape enhancement, finding new uses for old buildings and through the creation and management of wildlife sites.

• conserve non-renewable resources such as wildlife habitats, historic buildings and open countryside; • protect and enhance the District’s outstanding rural landscapes; • create new areas of community woodland on the urban fringe; • support proposals for maintaining and improving historic buildings; • enhance the District’s urban green spaces and protect them from development; and • protect and reinforce the diversity of wildlife habitats in the District; The City Council proposes to;

• continue to participate in the active management of the Arnside/Silverdale and Forest of Bowland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty; • closely control development affecting areas of nature conservation importance, protected species, the coast and other sensitive areas; • protect landscape essential to the setting of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham; • establish a new community woodland at Middleton and identify potential planting areas at South Heysham, Luneside and the eastern edge of Lancaster; • develop and safeguard Green Corridors along the River Lune, Lancaster Canal and rural cycle paths. • maintain a long term green belt boundary on the north side of Lancaster; and

SOUTH LAKELAND DISTRICT

Yealand Silverdale Whittington YORKSHIRE Redmayne DALES ARNSIDE / Tunstall NATIONAL SILVERDALE Yealand Conyers Priest PARK AREA OF Hutton Warton OUTSTANDING Borwick NATURAL Millhead A Melling CRAVEN BEAUTYCARNFORTH Over Kellet Gressingham Wennington DISTRICT Morecambe Bay and Lune Nether Hornby Estuary SSSI, Bolton- le Kellet -Sands cSAC and Hest Wray Ramsar Site Bank NORTH LANCASHIRE GREEN BELT Slyne Halton Brookhouse Caton FOREST OF BOWLAND MORECAMBE ARNSIDE / SILVERDALE AREA OF OUTSTANDING HEYSHAM LANCASTER NATURAL BEAUTY

Middleton

Overton

RIBBLE VALLEY Opportu Galgate nity DISTRICT

Cockerham

WYRE BOROUGH

Diagram 24 – Landscape Designations Lancashire and contains some of the County’s most attractive Background countryside. Its 565 sq. km of 5.1.1 Lancaster District covers diverse and contrasting the northernmost part of countryside extend from the

• The Arnside/Silverdale and 5.1.5 Both central Government Forest of Bowland Areas of guidance expressed in Planning Outstanding Natural Beauty Policy Guidance Note 2 – Green where the emphasis is on Belts, and the Lancashire conserving natural beauty; Structure Plan, set out the type of • The District's other rural areas development which can and such as the Lune Valley, the cannot be allowed in the Green Amounderness Plain, the Belt. The City Council will strictly countryside around apply Structure Plan Policy 4 – Morecambe Bay and the Development in Green Belts

• The northern edge of the • The Morecambe Bay Amounderness Plain, south of limestone area including the Morecambe Bay, which Arnside/Silverdale Area of consists of flat and undulating Outstanding Natural Beauty pastoral farmland, much of which consists of craggy which has been reclaimed, limestone outcrops and with blocks of woodland, screes, topped by limestone remnant mosslands and pavements, large areas of drainage channels and ancient semi-natural isolated red sandstone woodland, and areas of farmsteads; mossland. Fields are small and predominantly divided by • The Bowland Fringes limestone dry-stone walls. including the Lune Valley, Wyresdale and Roeburndale, 5.1.12 Whilst within these areas the characterised by herb-rich landscape can vary markedly, hay meadows defined by their common characteristic is stone walls and hedges, that they are essentially open and extensive semi-natural and rural in character. These ancient woodland, numerous qualities are easily damaged by rivers and watercourses, the intrusive effects of small villages and hamlets in inappropriate development.

POLICY E4 defence, the fishing industry and informal recreation. WITHIN THE AREA IDENTIFIED 5.1.16 Development relating to the AS COUNTRYSIDE ON THE offshore hydrocarbon industry or LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS energy generation should MAP, DEVELOPMENT WILL normally take place on the ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE existing industrial areas in the IT: South Heysham area.

IS IN SCALE AND KEEPING Exceptionally such development proposals which are of major WITH THE CHARACTER AND NATURAL BEAUTY regional or national importance OF THE LANDSCAPE; may be allowed elsewhere where it can be demonstrated that the economic benefits clearly IS APPROPRIATE TO ITS SURROUNDINGS IN TERMS outweigh environmental concerns. Proposals which would OF SITING, SCALE, DESIGN, MATERIALS, have an adverse effect on the EXTERNAL APPEARANCE landscape or nature conservation AND LANDSCAPING; must be accompanied by a full

NEEDS WILL BE ALLOWED TO Agricultural Land BE DEVELOPED. 5.2.1 Farming remains an important rural activity in the District, both in Protection of Water terms of providing employment Resources and managing the countryside and it is important that the 5.2.2 Development proposals can have viability of farm holdings is an adverse impact on maintained wherever possible. watercourses in terms of the Proposals that would have amount and quality of water adverse effects on the operation within them and their contribution of an agricultural holding will be to the landscape, nature resisted and the loss of the best conservation interests and and most versatile agricultural informal recreation needs. land will only be allowed where Proposals which involve water development would bring abstraction or discharges to a significant local or community watercourse can have an adverse advantages and cannot be impact upon human health, public accommodated elsewhere on amenity interests, wildlife and land of poorer quality. fisheries. Proposals of this type must be accompanied by full POLICY E6 details of the potential effects of abstraction and/or discharges DEVELOPMENT WHICH together with appropriate WOULD RESULT IN THE remediation measures. PERMANENT LOSS OF THE BEST AND MOST VERSATILE 5.2.3 A number of existing and AGRICULTURAL LAND proposed development sites (DEFRA AGRICULTURAL contain watercourses, including LAND CLASSIFICATION Westgate South, Mellishaw Lane GRADES 1,2 AND 3A) OR WILL and the Bailrigg Business Park. SUBSTANTIALLY ERODE THE Development on such sites which VIABILITY OF A FARM would have a significant impact HOLDING WILL ONLY BE on the landscape, nature PERMITTED WHERE THE conservation or recreational PROPOSAL; importance of a watercourse must be designed to minimise the BRINGS SIGNIFICANT impact on watercourses and ECONOMIC OR include appropriate remediation COMMUNITY BENEFITS works where necessary. WHICH OUTWEIGH THE LOSS OF LAND OR FARM POLICY E7 UNIT; AND DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS

WHICH WOULD AFFECT AN THE PROPOSAL CANNOT EXISTING WATERCOURSE REASONABLY BE WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED ACOMMODATED WHERE: ELSEWHERE;

WATER QUALITY WOULD WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS BE MAINTAINED OR PERMITTED, ONLY THE IMPROVED; MINIMUM AGRICULTURAL

LAND TO MEET ESSENTIAL

5.2.9 It has been Government policy for Halton Mills a number of years to encourage Willow Mill, Caton the reclamation and Claughton Buffer Store redevelopment of contaminated Hornby Industrial Estate land. Reclamation of derelict sites Cowan Bridge Industrial Estate assists urban regeneration and Glasson Dock can reduce pressure on green- Luneside field sites. A number of White Lund Major Industrial Estate contaminated sites in Lancaster, Heysham Industrial Estate Morecambe and Heysham have Lancaster West Business Park been successfully reclaimed in The Port of Heysham recent years. Heysham Power Station Warton Road, Carnforth 5.2.10 There are a number of potential Lodge Quarry, Carnforth redevelopment sites within the Scotland Road, Carnforth District where contaminants are Kellet Road, Carnforth known to exist, such as parts of Millhead the Halton Mills and St. George's Carnforth Levels Works sites and at south Nightingale Hall Farm Heysham, and others where contamination may be a problem 5.2.13 The above list should not be such as the gas holder on the interpreted as direct evidence of Venture Caravan Site. On some a contamination problem. sites, the migration of landfill gas Similarly the list is not exhaustive may also be a problem. and the absence of a site from the above list does not mean that 5.2.11 The City Council will continue to it can be assumed that no encourage the reclamation and contamination problem exists. re-use of contaminated land where the degree and nature of

ANY NECESSARY DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS REMEDIATION MEASURES WITHIN AREAS AT RISK OF ARE CARRIED OUT PRIOR FLOODING WILL ONLY BE TO REDEVELOPMENT OF PERMITTED WHERE; THE SITE. APPROPRIATE FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES Development affecting ARE ALREADY IN PLACE; Flood Plains OR

5.2.14 Many low-lying areas within the THESE WILL BE PROVIDED District and parts of river valleys WITHOUT ADVERSE such as the Lune are identified by ENVIRONMENTAL the Environment Agency (EA) as IMPACTS. being ‘at risk’ of flood either from tidal inundation or river flood. Development within areas of

5.3.4 The City Council, through its Background planning responsibilities, has an 5.3.1 The District contains a wealth of important role in conserving semi-natural wildlife habitats; habitats. Given the wildlife some of international importance. importance of the Districts, the Many are protected by a variety City Council will; of designations, some of which • Identify important habitats overlap. The range of sites and species and protect them includes the intertidal flats of from development; Morecambe Bay, the moorland of Bowland, the limestone • ensure that nature pavements of Silverdale, ancient conservation interests are woodlands, traditional hay taken into account fully in meadows, raised bogs such as planning decisions; Heysham Moss and marshland enable nature conservation as at Leighton Moss. • objectives to be met within 5.3.2 Morecambe Bay is the most development sites; and important estuarine wintering site • help to enhance the in the United Kingdom for oyster environment and catcher, dunlin, curlew and opportunities for landscape turnstone and is second only to enhancement within it. The Wash in terms of its size and the number of waterfowl it Nature Conservation in supports. The heather moorlands the Wider Environment of Bowland are a habitat for rare birds of prey and a wide variety of 5.3.5 The City Council will ensure that bird species whilst the semi- nature conservation interests are natural grasslands of Silverdale given full consideration when support a rich flora. determining development proposals. In many cases it is 5.3.3 The wildlife importance of many possible to achieve conservation semi-natural habitats is, however, objectives alongside change. in slow decline. The threats, There will however be situations whether from further agricultural where the need for development improvement, pollution, means that nature conservation development, recreational use or objectives cannot be met. even neglect (the diversity of Conversely there will be many habitats actually depends situations where the need to on some human management) safeguard nature conservation are many and varied. The wider interests necessitates the refusal countryside is also experiencing a of a development proposal. slow but remorseless erosion of commonplace features such as 5.3.6 Where it appears that a trees and hedgerows which are development proposal could vital to wildlife. As wildlife has harm nature conservation retreated in the countryside, interests, English Nature and the habitats in urban areas have Lancashire Wildlife Trust will be become very much more consulted to determine whether important. Urban habitats the impact of development can however are constantly under be minimised and whether the threat from development and developer should be required to inappropriate management. create and provide for the

space should be retained IN DETERMINING between buildings and trees. This DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS, THE COUNCIL WILL ENSURE should take into account the type of tree, its future size and THAT ANY IMPACTS UPON potential overshadowing. No site WILDLIFE, WILDLIFE or engineering works should take HABITATS, PROTECTED place within the crown spread of SPECIES AND IMPORTANT GEOLOGICAL FEATURES ARE an existing tree. Existing trees should be fenced off during the TAKEN INTO FULL ACCOUNT. construction period.

WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS POLICY E13 PERMITTED, DEVELOPERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEVELOPMENT WHICH MINIMISE ANY ADVERSE WOULD RESULT IN A IMPACT AND/OR CREATE AND SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE PROVIDE FOR THE EFFECT ON, OR INVOLVE THE APPROPRIATE MANAGEMENT LOSS OF, OF COMPENSATORY WILDLIFE HABITATS. ANY SIGNIFICANT AREA OF WOODLAND; Trees and Woodland 5.3.7 The Local Plan seeks to protect SIGNIFICANT TREES; OR all significant areas of woodland in the District. Ancient woodland ANY AREA OF ANCIENT in particular, by virtue of its semi- WOODLAND, natural condition, has a rich flora and fauna which takes centuries WILL NOT BE PERMITTED. to develop in newly planted woodlands. The City Council 5.3.9 The City Council is empowered to places particular importance upon make Tree Preservation Orders the conservation of ancient (TPOs) in order to protect trees woodlands and will seek to which have amenity value, protect these from development whether these are single trees, in that would involve a loss of, or groups or in areas of woodland. have an adverse impact upon, The protection conferred ensures their nature conservation value. that any works to trees must have The Felling Licensing System the prior approval of the Local operated by the Forestry Authority. Trees in Conservation Commission is the primary Areas are similarly protected. means of control over felling. 5.3.10 The Council will use its Tree When consulted by the Forestry Preservation Order powers and Commission on felling licence its powers under the Hedgerow applications affecting ancient Regulations and work with the woodlands, the Council will also Forestry Commission in operating seek to ensure that the integrity its Felling Licence system to of the woodland is maintained ensure that trees, woodlands and and that nature conservation hedgerows with nature impacts are safeguarded. conservation, historic or 5.3.8 On development sites it is landscape, or local amenity value particularly important that existing are protected from development. Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 149 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 The Council will also seek to The Nature encourage woodland Conservation Site management, new woodland Hierarchy planting and hedge creation. 5.3.13 Lancaster District contains some THE CITY COUNCIL WILL of the most important nature MAKE FURTHER TREE conservation sites in the Country. PRESERVATION ORDERS This importance is reflected in the WHERE TREES ARE number of areas which have CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED been identified as requiring OF PROTECTION special protection. The

importance of various sites is Limestone Pavements reflected in the hierarchy of designations. These can be 5.3.11 The District contains many areas summarised as follows; of geological importance including a number of limestone International Sites pavements. These distinctive areas of water-worn limestone, 5.3.14 These consist of Special Areas of with their clint and gryke features, Conservation (SAC), Candidate are an internationally rare SACs (cSAC), Special Protection geological phenomenon and are Areas (SPA) and Ramsar Sites. irreplaceable. The only limestone There are seven sites either pavements in Britain are in the wholly or partly within the District Yorkshire Dales, South and East and these are listed below and Cumbria and the very northern shown on the Local Plan parts of Lancaster District. Proposals Map. 5.3.12 Limestone Pavement Orders, made by Lancashire County National Sites Council at the recommendation of 5.3.15 The District contains 27 sites English Nature, now cover all the which are of national importance important areas within the and designated as Sites of District. Whilst these discourage Special Scientific Interest the removal of, and damage to, (SSSIs). These are shown on the pavements, a planning approval Local Plan Proposals Map. can override the protection afforded by a Limestone Pavement Order. All areas Non-Statutory County covered by Limestone Pavement Biological Heritage Orders are either Sites of Special Sites Scientific Interest or designated as being of County-wide 5.3.16 These are sites which have been importance. identified as being of importance in County terms. There are POLICY E14 around 250 of these and these are also shown on the Local Plan DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS Proposals Map. INVOLVING THE REMOVAL OF NATURALLY OCCURRING National and Local AREAS OF WATER WORN LIMESTONE, OR WHICH Nature Reserves COULD DAMAGE A 5.3.17 In Lancaster District, the Gait LIMESTONE PAVEMENT, WILL Barrows SSSI is also a National NOT BE PERMITTED. Nature Reserve owned, leased or

managed by English Nature. The City Council owns two Local

5.3.22 There are 27 Sites of Special WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS Scientific Interest (SSSI) in the PERMITTED, DEVELOPERS District and these are identified WILL BE REQUIRED TO on the Local Plan Proposals Map. MINIMISE ADVERSE IMPACTS These sites will be protected from AND TO COMPENSATE FOR development that might damage THESE BY APPROPRIATE the interest of a site either directly HABITAT CREATION AND/OR or indirectly. Many of these sites ENHANCEMENT MEASURES can be harmed by development EITHER WITHIN THE SITE OR which takes place nearby. For THE IMMEDIATE LOCAL AREA. example, a housing or industrial development near a wetland site Sites of County might lead to a lowering of the Conservation water table and a particularly noisy activity emanating from a Importance development might cause harmful 5.3.25 The District contains around 250 disturbance to wildlife. Pollution is sites which are of County an obvious concern whilst an importance for nature increase in recreational activity conservation, geomorphological could also have an impact. or geological interest. These 5.3.23 To ensure that these potential should as far as possible also be indirect effects on development protected from development or are given proper consideration, disturbance. These sites are the City Council is required to shown on the Local Plan determine whether a Proposals Map as County development proposal could Biological and/or Geological adversely affect an SSSI and, if Heritage sites. so, to consult English Nature. POLICY E17 Where necessary, the City Council will require additional DEVELOPMENT LIKELY TO information from developers to DAMAGE OR DESTROY A assist in assessing the nature of COUNTY BIOLOGICAL any indirect effects. HERITAGE SITE OR COUNTY GEOLOGICAL HERITAGE SITE 5.3.24 Where development is WILL NOT BE PERMITTED permitted, the Council will require UNLESS THE NEED FOR developers to keep damage to a DEVELOPMENT minimum and undertake DEMONSTRABLY OUTWEIGHS appropriate compensatory THE NEED TO PROTECT THE provision. SITE. POLICY E16 WHERE DEVELOPMENT IS DEVELOPMENT LIKELY TO PERMITTED, DEVELOPERS DAMAGE OR DESTROY A WILL BE REQUIRED TO DESIGNATED OR PROPOSED MINIMISE ADVERSE IMPACTS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC AND TO COMPENSATE FOR INTEREST WILL NOT BE THESE BY APPROPRIATE PERMITTED UNLESS THE HABITAT CREATION OR NEED FOR DEVELOPMENT IS ENHANCEMENT MEASURES, OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE EITHER WITHIN THE SITE OR AND THIS DEMONSTRABLY THE IMMEDIATE LOCAL AREA.

WOULD NOT HAVE A Agricultural SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE Development IMPACT ON THE 5.4.1 New agricultural development LANDSCAPE, NATURE with its associated roads and CONSERVATION services can have a major impact INTERESTS OR THE on the character and appearance AMENITIES OF NEARBY of the countryside. Although RESIDENTS; many buildings do not require planning permission, the Council IS OF A DESIGN AND can, through a system of prior SCALE AND USES notification of intention to build, MATERIALS require full details of such APPROPRIATE TO ITS buildings and influence their SURROUNDINGS siting. The largest buildings The Re-use of Buildings continue to require planning in the Countryside permission. 5.4.3 The District's countryside 5.4.2 In considering planning contains many buildings which applications or prior notifications are no longer required for their for new agricultural buildings original purpose and could be such as stables, glasshouses, converted to other uses. There is mushroom tunnels and silos, the an increasing recognition of the Council will seek to minimise any importance of such buildings in adverse impact on the providing affordable employment surrounding countryside through premises in the rural area. This is the use of good design, reflected in the Rural White Paper appropriate materials, careful and ‘Planning Policy Guidance siting and effective landscaping. Note 7 The Countryside - Proposals which do not Environmental Quality and adequately reflect these Economic and Social objectives will be refused. The Development’ (PPG7) which Council recognises the pressures places a much stronger emphasis placed on farmers to comply with than previous guidance on environmental, hygiene and promoting the re-use of buildings animal welfare legislation and will for employment generating take a positive approach to proposals, particularly in areas development designed to meet where job creation is a priority. these requirements. 5.4.4 Retaining such buildings in POLICY E19 beneficial use can also help to secure the long term future of NEW AGRICULTURAL historic buildings and enhance DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED the appearance of the FOR THE OPERATIONAL countryside. Where such NEEDS OF A FARM UNIT OR buildings are unsuited to TO MEET IMPROVED ANIMAL employment use, there may be WELFARE, ENVIRONMENTAL certain circumstances where OR HYGIENE STANDARDS residential conversion may be WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE acceptable. THE PROPOSAL;

Proposals to vary ridge and IN THE COUNTRYSIDE eave heights or remove or OUTSIDE THE SETTLEMENTS destroy important LISTED IN POLICY H7, THE architectural features will not CONVERSION OF PERMANENT be permitted Conversions for AND SUBSTANTIAL employment use can offer BUILDINGS TO BUSINESS AND greater flexibility than TOURISM USE WILL ONLY BE residential conversions to PERMITTED WHERE; utilise buildings without major alterations SUITABLE SERVICES AND • Density – over-intensive ACCESS ARE AVAILABLE development can give rise to WITHOUT THE NEED FOR the need for additional WORKS WHICH WOULD storage buildings or open ADVERSELY AFFECT THE storage, increase the need for CHARACTER OF THE wall openings and extensions AREA;

and spoil the original THE PROPOSAL WOULD simplicity, spaciousness and NOT RESULT IN MAJOR attractiveness of the building. RECONSTRUCTION, THE In commercial or recreation DESTRUCTION OF schemes, storage needs IMPORTANT should as far as possible be ARCHITECTURAL OR accommodated within existing HISTORIC FEATURES OR buildings. This can be a THE LOSS OF particular factor in considering TRADITIONAL residential proposals where ARCHITECTURAL there has been a trend CHARACTER; towards seeking the maximum possible numbers THE PROPOSAL from conversions resulting in SAFEGUARDS THE cramped developments with ROOSTING OR NESTING inadequate space. Large HABITAT OF ANY numbers of units also have a PROTECTED SPECIES greater impact on the PRESENT IN THE surrounding countryside and BUILDING; give rise to pressure for garages and stores. The THE CONVERSION CAN BE number of dwellings proposed CARRIED OUT WITHOUT should reflect the nature of MAJOR EXTENSIONS TO

THE PROPOSAL DOES POLICY E21 NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE CHARACTER AND PROPOSALS FOR BUSINESS APPEARANCE OF THE AND TOURISM USES WHICH SURROUNDING FORM PART OF AN EXISTING COUNTRYSIDE OR THE AGRICULTURAL UNIT WILL BE AMENITY OF NEARBY PERMITTED WHERE; RESIDENTS; THE PROPOSED USE WHERE IT CAN BE SHOWN MAKES A POSITIVE THAT THERE IS NO DEMAND CONTRIBUTION TO THE FOR CONVERSION TO VIABILITY OF THE FARM BUSINESS OR TOURISM HOLDING AND REMAINS DEVELOPMENT OR WHERE SUBSIDIARY TO THE MAIN THE BUILDING LOCATION OR FARMING ENTERPRISE; SURROUNDINGS ARE AND CLEARLY UNSUITABLE FOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, THE DEVELOPMENT THE COUNCIL WILL PERMIT WOULD NOT RESULT IN A THE CONVERSION OF SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE BUILDINGS WHICH MAKE A IMPACT ON THE POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO CHARACTER OF THE THE RURAL LANDSCAPE TO AREA OR LEAD TO AN RESIDENTIAL USE, SUBJECT UNACCEPTABLE TO THE ABOVE CRITERIA INCREASE IN TRAFFIC; PROVIDED THAT; WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE THE BUILDING IS WITHIN A PROPOSED USE SHOULD USE GROUP OF BUILDINGS EXISTING BUILDINGS WITHIN CONTAINING AT LEAST THE MAIN AGRICULTURAL ONE EXISTING DWELLING; UNIT. AND Wind Farms THE NUMBER AND DENSITY OF DWELLINGS 5.4.6 Recent years have seen a rapid IS APPROPRIATE TO increase in the development of THEIR SURROUNDINGS. wind farms in upland areas throughout the country. In Agricultural Lancaster District, the only site Diversification which has been developed so far consists of ten turbines on Caton 5.4.5 Agricultural diversification can Moor. sustain the viability of farms and provide alternative employment 5.4.7 It is clear that, for wind power to opportunities. The City Council contribute significantly to UK will, therefore, adopt a positive energy requirements, a dramatic attitude to proposals for increase in the number of alternative uses for farms turbines is required. Lancaster providing they remain secondary District contains several areas to the main agricultural use and which have been identified as do not have a significant adverse potential locations for wind farms. impact on the countryside or An increasing number of wind

OF ELECTROMAGNETIC APPLICATIONS FOR DISTURBANCE. TELECOMMUNICATIONS

INSTALLATIONS WILL ONLY WITHIN THE BE PERMITTED WHERE ARNSIDE/SILVERDALE AND APPLICANT CAN FOREST OF BOWLAND AREAS DEMONSTRATE THAT; OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL

BEAUTY, WIND TURBINES THE PROPOSED WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED APPARATUS IS SITED AND WHERE THE APPLICANT CAN DESIGNED TO MINIMISE, DEMONSTRATE THAT NO AS FAR AS PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE SUITABLE SITE WITHIN TECHNICAL AND EXISTS ELSEWHERE, THAT LEGAL CONSTRAINTS, ITS THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF IMPACT ON RESIDENTIAL THE PROPOSAL CLEARLY AMENITY, LISTED OUTWEIGH ANY ADVERSE BUILDINGS, IMPACT ON THE AREA AND CONSERVATION AREAS, THAT ANY SUCH IMPACT IS SCHEDULED ANCIENT MINIMISED. MONUMENTS, Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 158 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 ARCHAEOLOGICAL COUNCIL WILL REQUIRE THE AREAS, NATURE LEAST VISUALLY HARMFUL CONSERVATION ROUTE FOR THE LINE. IT IS INTERESTS AND AREAS EXPECTED THAT SUCH OF HIGH QUALITY ROUTES WILL BE PLACED LANDSCAPE, UNDERGROUND AS FAR AS TECHNICAL, ECONOMIC AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PRACTICAL ERECTING ANTENNA ON CONSIDERATIONS ALLOW. EXISTING BUILDINGS, PROPOSALS WILL NEED TO MASTS AND OTHER TALL DEMONSTRATE THAT; STRUCTURES HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY A MORE SUITABLE SITE, INVESTIGATED; ROUTE OR SYSTEM IS NOT AVAILABLE; THE APPARATUS, HAS AS FAR AS IS PRACTICAL, THE PROPOSAL BEEN SITED TO MINIMISE RESPECTS THE FORM ITS IMPACT ON THE AND CHARACTER OF THE BUILDING ON WHICH IT IS LANDSCAPE AND THE LOCATED (IF ANY); AND SETTING OF ANY SETTLEMENT INVOLVED ACCOUNT HAS BEEN AND MAKES PROVISION TAKEN OF THE NEED FOR FOR APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL CAPACITY TO LANDSCAPING; ACCOMMODATE OF GROWING NEEDS FOR THE PROPOSAL IS SITED NETWORK DEVELOPMENT TO MINIMISE ITS IMPACT INCLUDING THOSE OF ON LISTED BUILDINGS, OTHER OPERATORS. CONSERVATION AREAS, SCHEDULED ANCIENT IN DETERMINING WHETHER MONUMENTS, APPROVAL OF DETAILS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITING AND APPEARANCE OF AREAS AND AREAS OF APPARATUS IS REQUIRED, HIGH QUALITY THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE LANDSCAPE; AND REGARD TO THE CRITERIA THE PROPOSAL WOULD SET OUT ABOVE. NOT RESULT IN A Electricity Lines SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE IMPACT ON NATURE 5.4.10 Overhead electricity lines can CONSERVATION have a significant impact on the INTERESTS. character of the countryside. Proposals for electricity lines WITHIN THE ARNSIDE/ should take the least visually SILVERDALE AND FOREST OF damaging route and preferably BOWLAND AREAS OF be placed underground. Within OUTSTANDING NATURAL an Area of Outstanding Natural BEAUTY AND OTHER Beauty or other visually sensitive VISUALLY SENSITIVE AREAS, area, special justification will be APPLICANTS MUST PROVIDE needed for overhead lines. SPECIAL JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY OVERHEAD LINE AND TO POLICY E24 DEMONSTRATE IN CONSIDERING PROPOSALS CONCLUSIVELY WHY THESE FOR NEW OR REPLACEMENT CANNOT BE PLACED ELECTRICITY LINES, THE UNDERGROUND Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 159 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 5.5 Managing and Enhancing the Countryside

COUNTRYSIDE MANAGEMENT Managing and Improving WORKS. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Derelict and Degraded 5.5.1 The main purpose of designating Land in the Open an Area of Outstanding Natural Countryside Beauty (AONB) is to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the 5.5.4 Lancaster District area including its landscape, currently contains around 200 ha flora, fauna and geographical of derelict land of which around a features. There is no duty to quarter is located in the promote recreation although the Countryside. Most of this land demands of recreation can be consists of disused mineral met where they pose no threat to workings. Some sites are already the character of the area. designated as County Biological and/or Geological Heritage Sites 5.5.2 There is a danger that both and are of acknowledged wildlife AONBs may experience greater importance. Nature conservation pressures in the future and recreation are normally the particularly from increasing most appropriate uses although demands for recreation. Detailed other uses appropriate to a rural management strategies have area may be permitted where been prepared for the AONBs these are consistent with other which will address the main Local Plan policies and the issues, problems and interests of nature conservation. opportunities within each area and set management objectives POLICY E25 for a comprehensive range of topic areas. DERELICT AND DEGRADED LAND IN THE OPEN 5.5.3 Established programmes of COUNTRYSIDE INCLUDING countryside management within THAT IN THE GREEN BELTS both AONBs have proved WILL BE RECLAIMED OR successful to date in achieving USED PRIMARILY FOR gains for conservation and NATURE CONSERVATION AND recreation. The future work of the APPROPRIATE respective countryside RECREATIONAL USES management services will be guided by the agreed Woodland Management Plans. 5.5.5 At present, some 4.5% of the IN CONJUNCTION WITH District is wooded (i.e. covered by OTHER LOCAL AUTHORITIES woodland of more than 2 AND RELEVANT BODIES, THE hectares in size). This compares CITY COUNCIL WILL with 9% nationally and 3.3% in CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE Lancashire as a whole. Much of MANAGEMENT AND the District’s woodland is ENHANCEMENT OF THE concentrated within the two Areas COUNTRYSIDE WITHIN THE of Outstanding Natural Beauty. ARNSIDE/SILVERDALE AND Outside these areas, woodland FOREST OF BOWLAND AREAS cover is sparse particularly close OF OUTSTANDING NATURAL to the main urban areas. Most of BEAUTY THROUGH the District’s population live some PROGRAMMES OF distance from the main areas of Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 160 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 accessible woodland and many landowners and, where woodlands have either limited or appropriate, through the use of no public access. planning obligations. 5.5.6 The Council, in partnership with THE COUNCIL WILL the Forestry Commission, has ENCOURAGE THE PLANTING prepared a Community Woodland AND MANAGEMENT OF NEW Strategy. This proposes: WOODLANDS USING PREDOMINANTLY NATIVE • the establishment of new SPECIES IN APPROPRIATE woodlands close to or within LOCATIONS WITHIN THE towns and villages; COUNTRYSIDE • the protection and Middleton Wood management of existing woodland; and 5.5.10 In the Morecambe and Heysham • the provision of public access Local Plan, around 100 hectares to existing woodland. of derelict land at south Heysham 5.5.7 The Strategy proposes the was identified as a Woodland establishment of 200 hectares of Opportunity Area. The intentions community woodland and gives behind this designation was to farmers and landowners access improve radically this large area to additional financial assistance of derelict land and to provide a towards the planting and more attractive location for management of native amenity employment growth. Since then woodlands within 5 miles of the City Council has pursued this Lancaster and Morecambe where initiative and, with the help of new woodlands would be of English Partnerships, has put greatest benefit to the together a proposal for the community. development of a major community woodland in the area. 5.5.8 There are certain areas of land As the site contains a County within this area where, for Biological Heritage Site, the City landscape, amenity or nature Council will work with nature conservation reasons, it is conservation bodies to ensure particularly important to that tree planting and subsequent encourage the establishment of management protects and new woodlands. The City Council enhances the ecological has endeavoured to take a lead importance of this area. in the establishment of these. Newly planted woodlands have 5.5.11 The City Council considers that been established in recent years Middleton Wood is crucial to the at Barley Cop Lane and Newton long-term future of the South Beck in Lancaster and at High Heysham area and will pursue its Heysham. The City Council is implementation as a matter of partnering Lancashire County priority. Council in establishing a community woodland at Levens POLICY E26 Drive. It is also actively pursuing Middleton Wood. LAND AT MIDDLETON SHOWN ON THE LOCAL PLAN 5.5.9 The City Council will seek to PROPOSALS MAP IS achieve woodland planting by ALLOCATED AS A actively encouraging farmers and COMMUNITY WOODLAND

Middleton Wood

Woodland

levels of activity are likely to Woodland Opportunity continue throughout the Local Areas Plan period. It proposes therefore 5.5.12 The City Council is also seeking to encourage the enveloping of to encourage further woodland the southern and western edges planting on the edge of of the site with a substantial area Lancaster, Morecambe and of native woodland. This would Heysham. It has identified three create a more attractive transition locations as being particularly to the open countryside beyond suitable for woodland planting. and enhance longer-term These are; employment prospects on the site. • South Heysham around the area designated as Middleton 5.5.15 Along the Lancaster Eastern M6 Wood; Corridor, tree planting would form a barrier to road noise and • Luneside, to the west of the provide a more attractive edge to Lune Industrial Estate; the built-up area. The Council will • Lancaster in the eastern M6 therefore continue its long- corridor. standing commitment to resist 5.5.13 At South Heysham, additional development and encourage planting would complement the landowners to undertake Middleton Wood proposals and woodland planting. provide additional screening to the existing employment areas. 5.5.16 In all three proposed woodland However as this land is currently opportunity areas, there are likely outside the control of the City to be areas of nature Council, implementation of conservation importance. Care planting proposals will depend must be taken to ensure that any upon the co-operation of private impacts are kept to a minimum landowners. and woodland planting proposals must be accompanied an 5.5.14 At Luneside, the City Council ecological survey. considers that current uses and

DEVELOPMENT WILL NOT BE PERMITTED WHERE THE DEVELOPER IS UNWILLING TO INCORPORATE SUFFICIENT NEW WOODLAND PLANTING TO ACHIEVE AN ATTRACTIVE TRANSITION BETWEEN TOWN AND COUNTRY, SOFTEN THE LANDSCAPE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, SECURE ADEQUATE AMENITY AREAS FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS, PROTECT AND ENHANCE NATURE CONSERVATION INTEREST AND PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF EXISTING MATURE TREES.

5.6 Protecting Green Spaces

Figure 17 – Urban Open Space Green Spaces Provision, 1990

5.6.1 Open areas, or Green Spaces within towns perform an important District All Urban Open Open Space per Space (Ha) 1000 (ha) role. They provide relief in otherwise densely developed Lancaster 179 1.4

areas, recreational opportunities Ribble Valley 87 1.7

and the setting for many Wyre 393 3.8 important groups of buildings. A Preston 587 4.6 continuing policy over the last 20 years of directing as much Lancashire 3722 2.7

development as possible to sites within existing urban boundaries 5.6.4 Given this overall lack of urban has resulted in the development open space, the City Council will of some urban open spaces. resist any reduction in the Whilst this has relieved number or size of the green development pressures in the spaces identified on the Local countryside, it has led to Plan Proposals Map in Lancaster, concerns, particularly in Morecambe, Heysham and Morecambe and Heysham, that Carnforth. Exceptions will only be there is now insufficient amenity allowed for essential education or space within the main urban area. community related development. On larger areas of green space, 5.6.2 Urban green space can take existing recreational or leisure many forms including land in both uses may need room to expand private and public ownership. or develop facilities. An example Within Lancaster, Morecambe could be the development of and Heysham, green space visitor facilities at Williamson ranges from large areas open to Park. In such instances where the public such as Regent Park limited development is and Williamson Park to school appropriate, expansion may be playing fields, institutional permitted provided that it does grounds, semi-derelict areas and not spoil the open character of cemeteries. In Carnforth and the the area. rural villages, green spaces tend to be smaller although no less 5.6.5 Where appropriate, the Council important. will also seek to enhance the value of greenspace for 5.6.3 Work undertaken by Lancashire recreation and nature County Council in connection with conservation. the Green Audit compared provision of urban open space in POLICY E29 the various Lancashire districts. Lancaster District was shown to THE AREAS IDENTIFIED ON have the lowest provision of THE LOCAL PLAN urban open space per 1000 PROPOSALS MAP AS URBAN population in the County. Figure GREEN SPACES WILL BE 17 shows how the District PROTECTED FROM compares to nearby districts and DEVELOPMENT AND WHERE to the average for Lancashire as APPROPRIATE ENHANCED. a whole. EXCEPTIONALLY, ESSENTIAL EDUCATION OR COMMUNITY

IN DETERMINING PLANNING APPLICATIONS, THE COUNCIL WILL PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE FOLLOWING GREEN CORRIDORS SHOWN ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS MAP; Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 166 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 the City. These areas include the The Urban Coastline grounds of Lancaster Moor 5.6.10 The City Council considers that Hospital, St Martin’s College, the stretch of open coastline Ripley St Thomas School on between Sandylands and Higher Ashton Road and Lancaster Heysham should be preserved University, together with intact. It provides a natural Williamson's Park, Quay Meadow setting for Heysham Head and and Ryelands Park. The extent of separates the Heysham these areas is shown on the Conservation Area from Local Plan Proposals Map. surrounding modern development Although some development has and commercial uses around the taken place in these areas, they Port of Heysham. As this land remain essentially open and borders Morecambe Bay, it is contribute significantly to the also important in nature setting of the City. conservation terms that it remains 5.6.14 Within these areas, important open and provides a haven for natural features will be wildlife. safeguarded and new development strictly controlled to The Lancaster Eastern preserve their open nature and M6 Corridor their character and appearance. 5.6.11 For many of the District’s towns POLICY E31 and villages, the countryside surrounding them is an essential THE KEY URBAN LANDSCAPE element of their character. In AREAS SHOWN ON THE most cases, there is little LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS prospect of new development MAP WILL BE CONSERVED spoiling this relationship. Along AND IMPORTANT NATURAL the eastern edge of Lancaster, FEATURES SAFEGUARDED. the rising ground between the edge of the built-up area and the DEVELOPMENT WILL ONLY M6 motorway provides a fine BE PERMITTED WHICH setting for the city and provides a PRESERVES THE OPEN visual link with the countryside NATURE OF THE AREA AND beyond. THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF ITS 5.6.12 This land also provides a buffer SURROUNDINGS. zone between the motorway, with its associated noise and vibration, and the residential properties on the east side of Lancaster. The City Council considers that this role should be preserved, woodland planting encouraged and that development should be prevented from encroaching on this zone.

Open Land of Key Townscape Importance 5.6.13 Lancaster contains a number of areas of open land which together make a fundamental contribution to the character of

Background Historic Buildings 5.7.1 The City Council has a long- 5.7.4 The District’s historic buildings standing commitment to the vary considerably in terms of age, conservation of historic areas and use design and style. Materials buildings. Through its planning used are many and varied and grant aid powers, it has ranging from local stone to brick helped to raise awareness of the and concrete. Most older benefits of conserving the buildings are constructed of local District’s heritage, encouraged sandstone with stone flag or slate traditional buildings and styles roofs. This sandstone is tinged and the use of locally sympathetic red in the southern coastal areas materials and refused but is a yellow/orange mixture in development proposals which most of the other areas. In the would harm historic areas. Areas north western area the locally such as St George’s Quay in available material was limestone Lancaster have been transformed which was often lime-washed or into attractive living environments rendered. and tourist attractions. Important listed buildings such as the 5.7.5 Buildings generally reflect the Victoria Pavilion (Winter historical usage of the land. In the Gardens) and former Promenade rural areas, most listed buildings Railway Station in Morecambe are either farmhouses, barns, have been given a more secure mounting blocks, churches or future. public houses. In the urban areas, buildings reflect the past 5.7.2 The City Council intends to build functions of the areas in which on the work of the last twenty they are located. For example, in years and continue to; Lancaster the port facilities such as the Custom Houses and the • promote a greater awareness warehouses on the Quay are of the importance, listed. Lancaster’s long history as vulnerability and diversity of an administrative centre and the District’s historic buildings major market town is also and areas; and reflected in listed buildings such • stress the importance of as the Judge’s Lodgings, maintaining the District’s Lancaster Town Hall, the historic legacy as an merchants housing and the important visitor attraction. shops. Morecambe’s development as a seaside resort 5.7.3 Lancaster District contains many is reflected in listed buildings historic buildings of national and such as the Victoria Pavilion local importance. There are (Winter Gardens), the former currently around 1300 buildings Promenade Station and the listed as being of special Midland Hotel. architectural or historic interest. The District also has 37 5.7.6 Listed buildings are carefully Conservation Areas, 38 chosen to fit national criteria. Scheduled Ancient Monuments They represent an important but and a wealth of areas which limited number of buildings. Every could be of archaeological one which is demolished or interest. altered in ways which diminish importance is a loss to future

and; THE DEMOLITION OF ALL OR • the extent to which the PART OF A LISTED BUILDING proposed works would bring WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED substantial benefits to the WHERE THE APPLICANT CAN community. DEMONSTRATE CONCLUSIVELY THAT Demolition REHABILITATION IS IMPRACTICABLE; AND 5.7.8 Government advice in PPG15 REASONABLE EFFORTS HAVE sets down a presumption in BEEN MADE TO SUSTAIN favour of the retention of listed EXISTING USES OR FIND buildings. To justify the total or VIABLE NEW USES FOR THE substantial demolition of any BUILDING AND THESE HAVE listed building, applicants must FAILED. supply convincing evidence that they have tried and failed to EXCEPTIONALLY, sustain existing uses or find DEMOLITION MAY BE viable new uses or that PERMITTED WHERE redevelopment would produce REDEVELOPMENT WOULD substantial planning benefits for PRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL the community which would BENEFITS FOR THE decisively outweigh the loss COMMUNITY THAT WOULD resulting from demolition. The DECISIVELY OUTWEIGH THE demolition of any Grade I or LOSS RESULTING FROM Grade II* listed building should be DEMOLITION wholly exceptional and should require the strongest justification. WHERE COMPLETE OR Many listed buildings occupy key SUBSTANTIAL DEMOLITION IS

which the character of the PROPOSALS INVOLVING building will be affected to be EXTERNAL OR INTERNAL determined. ALTERATIONS TO A LISTED BUILDING WHICH WOULD HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT Preserving the Setting ON THE SPECIAL of a Listed Building ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORIC CHARACTER OR 5.7.14 Most listed buildings have INTEREST OF THE BUILDINGS evolved over hundreds of years and form important elements in the landscape. They often have

5.7.25 Key Townscape Features in other PROPOSALS TO DEMOLISH Conservation Areas will be ANY BUILDING WITHIN A identified through the preparation CONSERVATION AREA WILL of Conservation Area Appraisals. ONLY BE APPROVED WHERE POLICY E37 DETAILED PLANNING PERMISSION HAS BEEN THE TOTAL OR SUBSTANTIAL GIVEN FOR A SCHEME OF DEMOLITION, OF AN REDEVELOPMENT WHICH UNLISTED BUILDING WILL WOULD PRESERVE AND ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE ENHANCE THE IT DOES NOT MAKE A CONSERVATION AREA POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO INCLUDING EFFECTIVE THE ARCHITECTURAL OR GUARANTEES OF EARLY HISTORIC INTEREST OF A COMPLETION. CONSERVATION AREA. New Building in EXCEPTIONALLY, WITHIN ANY Conservation Areas CONSERVATION AREA, THE TOTAL OR SUBSTANTIAL 5.7.26 Although many rural conservation DEMOLITION OF AN UNLISTED areas rarely see new building, the BUILDING WHICH MAKES A historic centres of Lancaster, POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO Morecambe and some of the THE CONSERVATION AREA larger villages experience regular WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE pressure for development. Whilst THE APPLICANT CAN conservation of the character and DEMONSTRATE appearance of these commercial CONCLUSIVELY THAT; areas must be a major consideration, this must be REHABILITATION IS carried out in a way which does IMPRACTICAL AND not unduly stifle trade. The well REASONABLE EFFORTS being of many historic properties HAVE BEEN MADE TO is dependent upon maintaining a SUSTAIN EXISTING USES OR viable commercial use. A failure FIND VIABLE NEW USES FOR to allow for the growth and THE BUILDING AND THESE development of a commercial HAVE FAILED; OR centre could lead to the ultimate demise of historic buildings in that REDEVELOPMENT WOULD area. PRODUCE SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS FOR THE 5.7.27 Many conservation areas include COMMUNITY WHICH WOULD gap sites or buildings that detract DECISIVELY OUTWEIGH THE from the character and appearance of the area. The

5.7.41 As many properties are in retail Advertisements and town centre service uses, 5.7.39 The character of the Castle there is constant demand for new Conservation Area is particularly shop fronts and advertisements. vulnerable to the effects of Although careful and sympathetic advertising. Although the Castle design can bring positive Precinct lies within an Area of changes to the street scene, the Special Control for City Council will seek to retain the Advertisements, which restricts character of the City Centre by the range of advertisements applying special control to the which can be displayed with detailed design of shop fronts. deemed consent, the rest of the 5.7.42 The City Council has prepared a area is excluded from this Shop Front and Advertisements additional control. Strict control Design Guide as supplementary will be exercised over advertising planning guidance. This provides in the area. additional guidance on how the POLICY E41 City Council will deal with proposals within conservation WITHIN THE CASTLE areas. CONSERVATION AREA THE POLICY E42 CITY COUNCIL WILL REFUSE PROPOSALS FOR WITHIN THE CITY CENTRE ADVERTISEMENTS WHICH DO CONSERVATION AREA, NOT PRESERVE OR ENHANCE PROPOSALS FOR NEW OR THE CHARACTER OR REPLACEMENT SHOP APPEARANCE OF THE AREA FRONTS AND BY VIRTUE OF THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS WHICH POSITION, OVERALL SIZE, DETRACT FROM THE MATERIALS, COLOUR, AND CHARACTER AND SIZE AND STYLE OF APPEARANCE OF THE LETTERING. BUILDING OR AREA WILL NOT BE PERMITTED City Centre Conservation Area Development in the 5.7.40 The City Centre Conservation Lancaster City Centre Area contains many important Conservation Area buildings and spaces as well as 5.7.43 The City Centre Conservation the commercial core of the City. Area contains the three City The area is subject to continuous Centre Development Sites as well change and constant pressure for as other smaller sites and new development and the buildings. The commercial heart alteration and refurbishment of of Lancaster is subject to existing buildings. The City intensive development pressure. Council wishes to see continued It is vital that where development growth of the City Centre as a is permitted it protects and lively and prosperous shopping, enhances the character of the service and visitor centre, in Conservation Area in terms of parallel with enhancements to the design, materials and quality of the environment. It will environmental quality. therefore adopt a positive attitude

Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 177 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 POLICY E43 TRADITIONAL DETAILING AND PARTICULARLY TRADITIONAL WITHIN THE CITY CENTRE DORMER WINDOWS, STAINED CONSERVATION AREA AS GLASS AND METAL RAILINGS SHOWN ON THE LOCAL PLAN Heysham PROPOSALS MAP, PROPOSALS FOR THE 5.7.46 Heysham Village Conservation REDEVELOPMENT OF Area takes in most of the village VACANT SITES WILL ONLY BE centre together with Heysham PERMITTED WHERE THEY Head and Throbshaw Point. In PRESERVE OR ENHANCE THE Heysham, there is a long- APPEARANCE AND standing commitment to improve CHARACTER OF THE AREA. the appearance of the Main Street area. Morecambe The Rural Conservation 5.7.44 Morecambe has two Areas Conservation Areas, one based on the historic core of Poulton 5.7.47 Many of the District’s attractive village and the other centred on rural villages are designated as the Victorian West End Road. conservation areas. Most of these Although different in character, have been designated because both areas have suffered as a of their special appeal, arising result of the growth and decline mainly from attractive groups of of the holiday trade. This decline traditional domestic buildings, has resulted in many examples of many of which are listed. These insensitive alterations and new areas do much to give a sense of development. history to the District and their continued preservation and 5.7.45 In Poulton and the West End, the enhancement is of great priority is to place a greater importance to both residents and emphasis on the residential role visitors. Most of the boundaries of of these areas. This will mean conservation areas were drawn many former commercial up a number of years ago and premises being converted into amendments have been made as residential accommodation. The the Council considered most obvious example of change appropriate. For example, Wray is the redevelopment of the Conservation Area has recently former Poulton Market site. The been extended to include an area City Council will take the of woodland which acts as a opportunity presented by this backcloth to the village. process of change to improve the appearance of the conservation THE CITY COUNCIL WILL areas by seeking the removal of REVIEW THE DESIGNATION inappropriate alterations and AND BOUNDARIES OF THE additions and to ensure that RURAL CONSERVATION renovation and conversion is AREAS IN LINE WITH AN carried out in a way which AGREED PROGRAMME improves the appearance of the areas. New Conservation Areas WITHIN THE POULTON AND 5.7.48 From time to time, requests are WEST END CONSERVATION made to consider designating AREAS, THE COUNCIL WILL new conservation areas. The City ENCOURAGE THE RE- Council also reviews the need for INTRODUCTION OF new designations. The Local Plan is not the vehicle for designating Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 178 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 new conservation areas. The City SCHEDULED ANCIENT Council will however listen to MONUMENT OR OTHER requests for new designations MONUMENT OF NATIONAL and act upon these if appropriate. IMPORTANCE WILL NOT BE PERMITTED THE CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER THE NEED FOR 5.7.51 Archaeological remains are NEW CONSERVATION AREAS fragile, finite and non-renewable. AS PART OF ITS ONGOING They are easily damaged or REVIEW OF DESIGNATIONS. destroyed, particularly if their Protecting presence is unknown. Archaeological Remains Unfortunately, there is no means of determining where important 5.7.49 Lancaster District contains many archaeological remains are likely sites of archaeological to be found unless they are importance. Archaeological Scheduled Ancient Monuments. investigations in Lancaster have In Lancaster for example, it is shown the City to be sited on an likely that much of the developed important Roman settlement. City Centre conceals an exciting Evidence of Roman occupation archaeological heritage. It is extends throughout the District, these remains which are most at particularly in the Lune Valley. risk from the potentially damaging The area around St Patrick’s effects of development. Chapel in Heysham is particularly important. Here significant 5.7.52 The City Council has worked with evidence of Iron Age activity has the Lancashire Sites and been found. Monuments Record Officer to identify those parts of the District 5.7.50 The District contains 38 most likely to contain hidden Scheduled Ancient Monuments, remains. These include both some dating back to Neolithic Lancaster Castle and City Centre times. These sites represent the Conservation Areas and best of the known archaeological Heysham Head. Within these heritage of the District and are areas, developers will be protected by law. The consent of expected to give the Council’s the Secretary of State is required nominated archaeologist the for any works which would affect opportunity to observe a Scheduled Ancient Monument excavations and record finds. or its setting. Their location is Elsewhere, the Record Officer will shown on the Local Plan continue to be involved in the Proposals Map. determination of planning applications where there is a POLICY E44 possibility that archaeological remains could be disturbed. IN DETERMINING APPLICATIONS FOR 5.7.53 Where preservation on site is DEVELOPMENT, THE CITY justified, developers may be COUNCIL WILL TAKE INTO required to allow investigations to ACCOUNT ARCHAEOLOGICAL be undertaken, at the developers CONSIDERATIONS AND THE expense, before planning NEED TO SAFEGUARD permission is granted. In other IMPORTANT SITES FROM situations, requirements will be DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION. made through the imposition of DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS planning conditions or WHICH WOULD HAVE AN requirements in S106 ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE Agreements. SITE OR SETTING OF A Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 179 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 POLICY E45

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL PROTECT OTHER SITES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE.

WHEN DEVELOPMENT AFFECTING SUCH SITES IS ACCEPTABLE IN PRINCIPLE, THE COUNCIL WILL SEEK TO ENSURE MITIGATION OF DAMAGE THROUGH PRESERVATION OF THE REMAINS IN SITU AS A PREFERRED OPTION.

WHEN IN SITU PRESERVATION IS NOT JUSTIFIED, THE DEVELOPER WILL BE REQUIRED BY PLANNING CONDITION OR LEGAL AGREEMENT TO MAKE ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR INVESTIGATION AND RECORDING BEFORE OR DURING DEVELOPMENT

POLICY E46

WHERE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS AFFECT SITES OF KNOWN OR POSSIBLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL REQUIRE AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND/OR EVALUATION TO BE SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE PLANNING APPLICATION.

PLANNING PERMISSION WILL NOT BE GRANTED WITHOUT ADEQUATE ASSESSMENT OF THE NATURE, EXTENT AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REMAINS PRESENT AND THE DEGREE TO WHICH THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS LIKELY TO AFFECT THEM

5.8.1 The City Council has a long can be seen, for example, on history of undertaking Caton Road in Lancaster. environmental improvements and However, much remains to be encouraging others to improve done. their buildings or surroundings, especially in conservation areas. 5.8.4 Along these routes, priority will be For example, in recent years, given to improving standards of there have been a number of development, introducing hard environmental improvement and soft landscaping and schemes undertaken in the implementing environmental Castle Conservation Area. These improvement schemes. Where have included the re-instatement development is located on an of traditional materials and the access corridor, the opportunity reduction of on-street parking. will be taken to ensure high standards of development and 5.8.2 The City Council will continue to landscaping on these frontages. promote and carry out environmental improvements in POLICY E47 the conservation areas as funding permits. In Lancaster, this WITHIN THE ACCESS process will be assisted by the CORRIDORS SHOWN ON THE Conservation Area Partnership LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS scheme which replaced the MAP, PLANNING PERMISSION former Town Scheme in April FOR USES WHICH COULD 1996. ADVERSELY AFFECT THE APPEARANCE OF THEIR THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SURROUNDINGS WILL NOT BE CARRY OUT ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTED. THE COUNCIL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WILL ONLY PERMIT CONSERVATION AREAS IN PROPOSALS WHICH; ACCORDANCE WITH AN ANNUAL PROGRAMME OF UPGRADE WORKS. IN LANCASTER, ENVIRONMENTAL PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO CONDITIONS WHERE WORKS IDENTIFIED IN THE THESE ARE CONSERVATION AREA UNSATISFACTORY; PARTNERSHIP SCHEME. USE HIGH QUALITY Access Corridors BUILDING MATERIALS 5.8.3 The main road and rail routes into AND LOCAL Lancaster, Morecambe and ARCHITECTURAL STYLES; Carnforth provide many peoples’ first impression of the District’s RETAIN EXISTING main towns. Along these LANDSCAPE FEATURES important routes, there are a WHEREVER POSSIBLE number of areas which are poorly AND INCORPORATE maintained, under-used or LANDSCAPING AND TREE generally of a poor appearance. PLANTING; AND Over the last ten years or so, the City Council has attempted to INCORPORATE ONLY improve stretches of these routes DISCRETE AND WELL whenever the opportunity has DESIGNED ADVERTISING arisen. A marked improvement

6. Recreation and Community Services

This part of the Local Plan looks at sport and recreation in the District and at how recreational needs will be catered for over the next ten years. The City Council is committed to protecting outdoor playing space and areas used for informal recreation. It will also seek to improve provision wherever possible. In particular, in the main urban area of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham, it will work towards the provision of 2.43 ha (6 acres) of useable outdoor playing space per 1000 people and to improve the supply of public informal recreation areas.

This part of the Plan also looks at how the changing way in which public services such as health and education are provided will affect the District.

• assess local needs for recreational facilities and identify deficiencies; • encourage the development of new sport and recreation facilities and additional open space; • ensure that recreation and community service provision is properly co-ordinated with other local plan proposals, particularly the development of new neighbourhoods; and • ensure that the land-use needs of public and community services are met in an environmentally acceptable way. The City Council proposes to;

• protect existing recreation facilities from development; • require developers of new housing areas to improve local provision of open space and children’s play areas; • develop a new park in central Morecambe and concentrate other initiatives on the River Lune, Lancaster Canal, Morecambe Promenade and the Lancashire Coastal Way; • continue to develop Salt Ayre as the District’s main centre for sport and recreation; • safeguard a site for a new secondary school at Barton Road, Lancaster and provide for new a primary schools as part of the proposed Lancaster Moor neighbourhoods; and • safeguard sites for a new fire station for Morecambe at Westgate and a Community Centre at Carnforth.

6.1 Recreation

Ayre, the Vale of Lune and Background Lancaster and Morecambe 6.1.1 This part of the Local Plan looks College. Salt Ayre also serves at the amount and quality of Morecambe and Heysham whilst recreation provision in Lancaster the facilities at the University of District and how it is used by both Lancaster are also available to residents and visitors. There are the public. two types of recreation provision. These are; Carnforth

• Facilities for formal sport 6.1.5 Carnforth is a densely developed including pitches, greens, town which has little high quality courts and playing fields; and open space. The previous Carnforth Local Plan identified a • Informal recreation areas for need for a youth and community walking, cycling, relaxing and centre, improved sporting children’s play. facilities and new and improved play areas. It also proposed a The Local Situation linear park based on the 6.1.2 The following paragraphs Lancaster Canal which could link describe the current provision of together improved areas of recreational open space in the recreation space as well as various parts of the District, providing a pleasant route to the starting with Morecambe and countryside. Heysham. Rural Areas Morecambe and 6.1.6 In the rural villages and open Heysham countryside, recreation facilities 6.1.3 Morecambe’s promenade is its tend to be provided on a village by village basis and supported by most important area of public open space. Happy Mount Park local clubs and organisations. Not and Regent Park are its only surprisingly, larger villages such formal parks and it also has few as Caton and Galgate are fairly well provided for in terms of sports grounds and accessible playing fields although smaller open spaces. Open space in Heysham is also concentrated on villages such as Claughton and the seafront although Douglas Millhead have active sports Park and Heysham Village offer teams. Demand for recreation facilities varies across the rural opportunities for formal and informal recreation. part of the District and is best dealt with on an area by area basis. Lancaster 6.1.4 Although Lancaster contains Williamson Park and Ryelands Park, the densely developed housing areas which ring the City Centre are short of accessible open space. Most sporting facilities are located between Lancaster and Morecambe at Salt

6.2.1 This part of the Local Plan looks playing space in the urban area at the provision of outdoor of Lancaster, Morecambe and playing space in the District. It Heysham. However, as Figure 18 concentrates on the main urban illustrates, there are currently area of Lancaster, Morecambe around 150 hectares of sports and Heysham and looks at how pitches and other play areas the supply of outdoor playing located within this area. space compares with the standards set by the National 6.2.4 The NPFA defines Playing Fields Association outdoor playing space as; (NPFA). In Carnforth and the • facilities such as pitches, rural areas, where the population greens, courts etc in public is more dispersed and there is ownership which are, as a less scope for dual use or the matter of practise and policy introduction of artificial pitches, available for public use; the NPFA Standard is harder to apply. In these areas, requests • similar facilities privately for outdoor playing space will be owned which serve the dealt with on a site by site basis. leisure needs for outdoor recreation of their members Lancaster, Morecambe or the public; and and Heysham (Together this type of facility should account for between 1.6 ha and 1.8 6.2.2 Most of the demand for outdoor ha of the overall total, i.e. between playing space is generated by the 160 and 180 ha for the main urban 100,000 residents of Lancaster, area). Morecambe and Heysham, where there is a long standing shortage • outdoor equipped of recreational provision. playgrounds for children of Although there has been an whatever age; and overall improvement in the amount and quality of sporting • casual or informal playspace facilities in recent years, mainly within housing areas. due to the development of the (These areas make up the remainder Salt Ayre Sports Centre, a of the 2.43 ha). combination of population growth and an increasing awareness of the benefits of keeping fit has meant that demand for sporting facilities has continued to grow. 6.2.3 The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) has set a recommended minimum standard for outdoor playing space of 2.43 hectares per 1000 population. This standard is generally accepted as being a reliable guide to the adequacy of recreation provision and is widely used throughout the country. To meet this target, there should be around 240 hectares of outdoor

Note) Formal Sports Facilities are defined as open vicinity of the proposal. Such areas available for and capable of being used for facilities should be comparable to soccer, cricket, rugby, hockey, tennis, bowls or other those lost in terms of the amount outdoor sport requiring a marked out pitch. Informal Recreation Areas are defined as open areas which are and quality of recreation space fully accessible to the public for walking and other provided and convenience to informal pursuits. local residents and users.

6.2.5 Figure 18 shows that, even with Compensatory provision must be the provision at Lancaster available for use before the University and the development existing facilities are lost. at Salt Ayre, the urban area is still POLICY R1 short of the outdoor playing space and other play areas in the THE AREAS IDENTIFIED ON main urban area to meet the THE LOCAL PLAN NPFA standard. Although at Salt PROPOSALS MAP AS Ayre and Lancaster University, OUTDOOR PLAYING SPACE the shortage of sports pitches has WILL BE PROTECTED FROM been addressed by building all- DEVELOPMENT. weather, floodlit pitches, these are not suitable for some EXCEPTIONALLY WHERE competitive sports such as THERE IS CLEAR football. JUSTIFICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT WHICH The Future WOULD RESULT IN THE LOSS OF SUCH SPACE, THIS WILL 6.2.6 The Local Plan will see a further BE PERMITTED ONLY WHERE increase in the demand for SPORT AND RECREATION outdoor playing space. The FACILITIES CAN BEST BE steady population growth forecast RETAINED AND ENHANCED for the District is likely to be THROUGH THE accompanied by increased REDEVELOPMENT OF A participation levels in sport and SMALL PART OF THE SITE OR recreation. ALTERNATIVE PROVISION OF 6.2.7 Formal recreation facilities in EQUIVALENT COMMUNITY Lancaster and Morecambe will BENEFIT IS MADE AVAILABLE. continue to be concentrated on Salt Ayre where a new swimming All Weather Pitches pool, athletics track and additional indoor facilities have 6.2.9 All weather pitches have been recently been completed. developed at Salt Ayre and Elsewhere, both St Martins and Lancaster University and both

RESULT IN THE LOSS OF 6.2.17 To minimise the need to travel THE BEST AND MOST and protect the countryside, golf VERSATILE driving ranges are best located AGRICULTURAL LAND OR close to the main urban area with SUBSTANTIALLY ERODE good access to public transport. THE VIABILITY OF A FARM Alternatively a location HOLDING; associated with an existing golf course or other leisure activity HAVE A SIGNIFICANT may be acceptable where this ADVERSE EFFECT ON would lead to a sharing of NATURE CONSERVATION facilities such as car parking. INTERESTS; AND Isolated locations in the countryside will not normally be HAVE A SIGNIFICANT considered appropriate. ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE 6.2.18 In all instances, the potential CHARACTER AND impact that a proposal and its APPEARANCE OF THE associated floodlighting, LANDSCAPE OR THE boundary fences and traffic AMENITIES OF LOCAL generation would have, both on RESIDENTS. the appearance of the area and the safety and amenity of local IN CONSIDERING SUCH residents will be important PROPOSALS, PARTICULAR considerations. REGARD WILL BE GIVEN TO THE REMODELLING OF LAND POLICY R7 FORMS, CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROADS, CAR PARKS NEW GOLF DRIVING RANGES AND ANCILLARY BUILDINGS WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE AND THE ADVANTAGES OF THE PROPOSAL: LOCATING GOLF COURSES CLOSE TO EXISTING IS LOCATED IN, OR ON SETTLEMENTS, MAIN ROAD THE EDGE OF CONNECTIONS AND RAIL AND LANCASTER, BUS SERVICES. MORECAMBE, HEYSHAM Golf Driving Ranges OR CARNFORTH OR IS ASSOCIATED WITH AN 6.2.16 There are currently two golf EXISTING GOLF COURSE driving ranges in the District, OR OTHER LEISURE located at Ashton Hall and FACILITY; Lancaster Leisure Park. Golf driving ranges differ from DOES NOT HAVE A conventional courses in that they SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE occupy a smaller area, are fully EFFECT ON NATURE used throughout the year and are CONSERVATION normally floodlit to allow nighttime INTERESTS; AND use. As a visit to a driving range takes less time than a round of WOULD NOT HAVE A golf, turnover is significantly SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 190 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 IMPACT ON THE NATURE CONSERVATION CHARACTER AND INTERESTS; APPEARANCE OF THE LANDSCAPE OR THE NEW BUILDINGS AND OTHER AMENITY OF LOCAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATED RESIDENTS. WITH SUCH PROPOSALS WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED WHERE Note; Proposals which are located in the THESE ARE ESSENTIAL TO Green Belt will also have to satisfy the provisions of Policy R8 THE OPERATION OF THE PROPOSED FACILITY AND Recreation Facilities in ARE OF THE MINIMUM RECOMMENDED SIZE the Green Belt

6.2.19 Within the North Lancashire Salt Ayre Green Belt, new development is strictly controlled. Land within the 6.2.20 The development at Salt Ayre Green Belt can provide Sports Centre has provided opportunities for access to the indoor wet and dry facilities, open countryside for the urban outdoor all weather and grass population in Lancaster, sports pitches and a synthetic Morecambe and Carnforth. It can athletics track for the whole also provide a suitable location district. for outdoor sport and recreation near these urban areas. Although 6.2.21 Future development at Salt Ayre the construction of new buildings will involve the reclamation of the inside the Green Belt is normally adjoining waste disposal site. inappropriate, essential facilities This will provide additional sports for outdoor sport and recreation pitches, opportunities for informal may be permissible. These could recreation and woodland provide small changing rooms or planting. Measures to improve unobtrusive spectator access by public transport, foot accommodation for outdoor sport. and bicycle will also be pursued Sport England has provided and better links established to the standards on the minimum sizes Lune Riverside Park and nearby required for changing facilities. cycle path. POLICY R8 THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SEEK TO ENSURE THAT WITHIN THE NORTH COMPLETED SECTIONS OF LANCASHIRE GREEN BELT SALT AYRE LANDFILL SITE PROPOSALS FOR NEW ARE RESTORED FOR OUTDOOR SPORT AND RECREATION USE AND RECREATION FACILITIES BROUGHT INTO THE PUBLIC WILL BE PERMITTED WHERE DOMAIN AS SOON AS THEY; PRACTICABLE

RETAIN THE OPEN CHARACTER OF THE GREEN BELT; AND

DO NOT HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER AND APPEARANCE OF THE COUNTRYSIDE OR

6.3.1 Informal recreation takes many within easy reach of the wood forms from casual children’s play whilst links can be established to walking, cycling and water with the coastline at Half Moon sports. The District provides Bay and beyond. many opportunities for informal recreation both in the built-up and 6.3.5 Creating this network can be rural areas. However, demand is achieved through drawing increasing and recreation together the various initiatives, pressures can cause problems either ongoing or planned in this particularly in sensitive or area. In particular, development vulnerable areas. of visitor facilities at Heysham Power Station and the potential 6.3.2 The improvement of informal access improvements to the recreation provision in suitable coastline at Heysham Head and locations will continue. In Throbshaw Point should be particular, opportunities to linked to the Middleton Wood. develop recreational facilities along the River Lune, the THE CITY COUNCIL WILL GIVE Lancaster Canal and the coast PRIORITY TO IMPROVING THE and new facilities in areas within FOOTPATH, BRIDLEWAY AND and close to the main built-up CYCLEWAY NETWORK IN THE area such as Middleton Wood SOUTH HEYSHAM AREA AND and Morecambe Central Park will WILL ENSURE THAT PRIVATE be pursued. AND PUBLIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENTS HELP TO ACHIEVE A COMPREHENSIVE South Heysham NETWORK OF ROUTES 6.3.3 Policy E26 allocates around 100 LINKING WOODLAND, hectares of land for woodland HOUSING AREAS, planting at Middleton Wood, COUNTRYSIDE AND south Heysham where a major COASTLINE new woodland and recreational area is proposed. This will be The Lune Riverside Park supplemented by additional woodland planting near Middleton 6.3.6 The River Lune is one of the Wood on a number of other sites. District’s main recreational This initiative will improve the resources. It is now possible to appearance of this neglected walk or cycle along a 19km area and bring a major boost to stretch of converted railway track the stock of open space. bed between Caton and Glasson Dock. Car parking and picnic 6.3.4 Located close to the expanding facilities are available at six built-up area of Heysham, locations along the route. Middleton Wood will bring opportunities to improve footpath 6.3.7 The City Council will continue to and bridle way links between promote recreational access Heysham, the wood and along the banks of the River Lune surrounding countryside and for pedestrians, cyclists and coastline. It will act as a focus for water users and encourage the informal recreation in the south provision, in appropriate Heysham area. The housing locations, of facilities such as areas at Higher Heysham, information/ interpretation Mossgate and Middleton are all displays, seating and toilets. It will

The Lancashire Coastal WITHIN THESE AREAS THE Way COUNCIL WILL WORK WITH LANDOWNERS AND 6.3.16 Lancashire County Council is INTERESTED BODIES TO currently promoting a footpath IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE around the County’s coastline, a AND SAFETY OF THE ROUTES long stretch of which passes AND TO PROVIDE BETTER through the District. The City PUBLIC ACCESS. THE Council will work with the County COUNCIL WILL ALSO SEEK TO Council to promote informal IMPROVE ACCESS TO AND recreational use of this route. WITHIN THE AREAS BY FOOT, BICYCLE AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT.

BEST AND MOST Equestrian Development VERSATILE 6.3.17 The use of land for keeping AGRICULTURAL LAND OR horses is becoming increasingly ANY PUBLIC RIGHT OF popular. This type of WAY; AND development is best located on the edge of existing settlements, THE PROPOSED preferably close to bridle ways or DEVELOPMENT IS other safe riding routes. Ancillary CONVENIENT TO AN development should be kept to a ADEQUATE NETWORK OF minimum and existing buildings BRIDLEWAYS AND/OR re-used wherever possible. SAFE RIDING ROUTES. Proposals which include a residential element will be looked IN CONSIDERING SUCH at particularly carefully and will be PROPOSALS, THE COUNCIL judged against the provisions of WILL HAVE PARTICULAR Policy H8 (Housing in the REGARD TO THE Countryside). ADVANTAGES OF LOCATING EQUESTRIAN DEVELOPMENT POLICY R10 CLOSE TO EXISTING SETTLEMENTS THE COUNCIL WILL PERMIT PROPOSALS FOR EQUESTRIAN DEVELOPMENT Open Space and IN THE COUNTRYSIDE Children’s Play Areas in WHERE; New Housing Development THE PROPOSED 6.3.18 The provision of adequate DEVELOPMENT AND ANY facilities for children’s play is ASSOCIATED BUILDINGS essential to their development ARE APPROPRIATE TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS IN and the quality of their lives. It is important that new housing TERMS OF DESIGN, developments are provided with a SCALE, MATERIALS, hierarchy of play facilities suitable LANDSCAPING AND MEANS OF ENCLOSURE; for children of all ages. Toddlers play areas need direct

EXISTING BUILDINGS ON supervision and should be located within the housing areas THE SITE ARE MADE USE themselves whilst play areas for OF WHEREVER POSSIBLE; older children should be

sufficiently large and located in a THE PROPOSAL DOES NOT HAVE AN position to minimise nuisance. UNACCEPTABLE IMPACT 6.3.19 In densely developed urban ON RURAL ROADS AND areas such as Lancaster, CONTAINS SUITABLE Morecambe and Heysham, it is ACCESS AND CAR particularly important that PARKING PROVISION; adequate levels of play provision are provided. The requirements THE PROPOSAL DOES for play areas and kickabout NOT HAVE A SIGNIFICANT space are set out in Appendix 1. ADVERSE EFFECT ON ANY Developers will be expected to WILDLIFE HABITAT, THE ensure that such areas are Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 195 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 properly designed, laid out, CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS equipped and maintained. ITS MAINTENANCE, THE CITY COUNCIL WILL NEGOTIATE 6.3.20 In considering housing proposals, LEGAL AGREEMENTS WITH the Council will only require HOUSING DEVELOPERS. recreational open space, children's play space and Allotments maintenance necessitated by the 6.3.21 There are 13 allotments in the development itself. The Council will have regard to the NPFA ‘Six District which in total provide over Acre Standard in assessing the 500 individual plots. Most allotments are located close to level of open space provision. Developments of 20 or more existing housing areas where there is little private garden family houses should provide play space for pre-school children space. whilst developments of 40 or 6.3.22 Most allotments in the District are more family houses should well used and adequately provide play equipment for maintained. They provide a useful children of ages up to eleven. recreational resource and are well used on the whole. There POLICY R11 does not appear, however to be a HOUSING DEVELOPERS WILL significant demand for additional allotments which would justify the BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE allocation of new areas for OPEN SPACE AND allotment use. The City Council PLAYGROUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE will monitor demands for STANDARDS SET OUT IN allotment use during the life of APPENDIX 1. the Local Plan and consider providing additional allotments if

WHERE A DEVELOPER IS necessary. UNWILLING TO MAKE SUCH 6.3.23 All allotments in the urban area PROVISION WITHOUT SOUND are identified as Urban REASON, PLANNING Greenspace and are therefore PERMISSION WILL BE protected from development by REFUSED. Policy E29. This policy gives adequate protection to the OPEN SPACE PROVIDED IN existing stock of allotments. THIS WAY WILL BE REGARDED AS URBAN

GREENSPACE AND

PROTECTED FROM

DEVELOPMENT IN LINE WITH

POLICY E29

TO OBTAIN THE REQUIRED GREENSPACE AND SECURE

The University of Lancaster the University both in the provision of teaching and associated accommodation, social and cultural facilities, and the expansion of purpose-built accommodation for students. Although the pace of expansion is likely to slow during the latter half of the decade, scope remains within the perimeter road and in the approved south west campus extension for additional development if required. 6.4.2 The University occupies a prominent site. Its distinctive design and colouring mean that it features strongly in views from a considerable distance, particularly from the south and west. The commitment of the University to a high standard of design and extensive landscaping has been important N in achieving the compact and attractive appearance of the © Crown copyright. All rights complex from surrounding areas. reserved. Lancaster City Council Licence No. LA The appearance of the site is 078379 2002. enhanced by its setting in extensive sports grounds and woodland areas. University Campus Urban Greenspace 6.4.3 In considering the possibility of Outdoor Playing Space longer-term future expansion, it is

Woodland Opportunity Area clearly important to maintain these important features. In addition it would be inappropriate Diagram 27 – Lancaster University for the University to spread further south west than is already 6.4.1 The University of Lancaster was committed or to see formal established in the late 1960s on a development east of the M6. green-field site at Bailrigg south of Lancaster. It has developed POLICY R12 steadily and following a period of rapid expansion in the early BUILT DEVELOPMENT 1990s has 7,500 full time ASSOCIATED WITH THE students and 1,800 staff as well EXPANSION OF THE as some 4,100 mainly local part UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER time students. The University is of WILL BE CONFINED TO THE great academic importance and AREA IDENTIFIED ON THE injects an estimated £30m LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS annually into the local economy. MAP AS LANCASTER The City Council supports the UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. expansion and development of Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 197 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 OUTSIDE THIS AREA, 6.4.6 The further development of DEVELOPMENT WILL BE UCSM is however constrained by RESTRICTED TO OUTDOOR its site boundaries. The present SPORTS FACILITIES AND site includes an area of Key SMALL-SCALE ANCILLARY Urban Landscape which provides BUILDINGS a visual setting for the College and provides recreation facilities 6.4.4 The Council recognises the for students and staff. It also importance of developing links makes an important contribution between the University and the to the appearance of this business community and otherwise densely developed part supports the possibility of joint of the City, particularly on the ventures combining business western slopes falling to capital with University expertise, Bowerham Road. Considerable technical facilities and research intrusion into this green area has capability. This potential could be already been permitted to assist realised on the Bailrigg Business this expansion programme and Park which will be immediately further significant encroachment adjacent to the University would be inappropriate. Future Campus. The City Council will development beyond the existing encourage the development of built-up limits of the site will this site and other enterprises therefore need to be restricted to involving the University. those areas already approved or to a scale which maintains the THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HELP open nature of the area. TO PROMOTE DIRECT LINKS BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY POLICY R13 OF LANCASTER AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ON BUILT DEVELOPMENT THE BAILRIGG BUSINESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PARK EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ST The University College MARTIN WILL BE CONFINED of St Martin TO THE AREA IDENTIFIED ON 6.4.5 Like Lancaster University, the THE LOCAL PLAN University College of St Martin PROPOSALS MAP AS ST (UCSM) was established in the MARTIN’S COLLEGE CAMPUS. late 1960s on the site of a former OUTSIDE THIS AREA, army barracks at Bowerham DEVELOPMENT WILL BE Road in Lancaster. With around RESTRICTED TO; 2,600 full time and 3,700 part time students, together with 360 OUTDOOR SPORTS staff, UCSM is also an important FACILITIES; employer. Like the University, UCSM has expanded during the SMALL-SCALE ANCILLARY last 5 years through the BUILDINGS; construction of new teaching and ancillary accommodation, student AREAS WHICH ALREADY residences and a library BENEFIT FROM PLANNING extension. The Council has PERMISSION; AND supported this development which, like the University, has DEVELOPMENT OF A added jobs, spending power and SCALE AND TYPE tourist facilities to the District as ACCEPTABLE WITHIN THE well as providing for an GREENSPACE AND KEY expansion of student numbers.

BUILT DEVELOPMENT LAND AT BARTON ROAD ASSOCIATED WITH THE LANCASTER SHOWN ON THE EXPANSION OF LANCASTER LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS AND MORECAMBE COLLEGE MAP IS RESERVED FOR WILL BE CONFINED TO THE EDUCATION PURPOSES. AREA IDENTIFIED ON THE LOCAL PLAN PROPOSALS POLICY R16 MAP Primary and Secondary DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS FOR THE LANCASTER MOOR Schools AREA MUST CONTAIN 6.4.8 The increase in population which PROVISION FOR A PRIMARY will take place over the local plan SCHOOL. period will give rise to the need School Playing Fields for new schools. The County Council has a long-term 6.4.12 In many areas of Lancaster and commitment to a new secondary Morecambe, there are few or no school to serve south Lancaster public playing fields. The local and land is reserved for this population has come to rely on purpose at Barton Road. school playing fields as areas for children’s play and informal games. In areas such as Bare Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 199 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 and Torrisholme and the centres which are listed. The hospital is of Lancaster and Morecambe, well located in relation to the there are no obvious Primary Bus Corridor and the opportunities to provide proposed bus priority route along significant new areas of open Ashton Road will make the space. As schools become more hospital even more accessible by concerned with security and public transport. The ongoing vandalism, the informal use of expansion of the hospital may school grounds is likely to come create proposals for the use of under increasing scrutiny by the buildings outside the existing site Education Authority and school for hospital purposes into the governors. surrounding area. 6.4.13 The County Council Education Committee supports and Mental Health encourages the use of 6.4.15 The re-organisation of mental educational land and premises. health in the District has resulted To ensure that local people can in a change of emphasis from obtain maximum benefit from large residential institutions to existing sports and recreational care in small residential homes facilities, the City Council will take and residential care reinforced every opportunity to encourage with day centres. Smaller facilities the dual use of educational land can satisfactorily be and premises. However this use accommodated within residential is dependent on goodwill and areas whilst larger residential cannot be guaranteed. It is not care homes raise similar issues considered to be an adequate to those raised by residential rest substitute for facilities which are homes and care homes for the available to the public on a full elderly. Given considerable time basis. variation and flexibility in the type of site required and the extent to THE CITY COUNCIL WILL WORK WITH THE COUNTY which the need will be met COUNCIL TO ENCOURAGE through the re-use of existing PUBLIC USE OF SCHOOL buildings, the Council does not consider it appropriate to identify SPORTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES specific sites. Health Care Community Centres in 6.4.14 The re-organisation of health care the Rural Area in North Lancashire has resulted 6.4.16 Community centres, youth in the closure of the major centres and village halls can hospitals at Lancaster Moor and provide an important focal point Royal Albert. The concentration within many rural communities. of health care at Lancaster Royal Such centres include property Infirmary will result in a significant owned or rented by statutory increase in activity on the bodies, religious organisations, infirmary site. By 1998 1800 registered charities and other people will work on the site. voluntary groups to provide There will be 600 bedspaces and accommodation for public around 2000 outpatients will be activities and services. With the seen each week. The hospital is advent of national lottery funding undergoing a major renewal and for community projects, it is likely refitting involving new blocks, that more villages will seek to extensions and the refurbishment develop new community centres of existing buildings some of

APPENDIX 1 – PROVISION FOR PLAY IN NEW HOUSING

Introduction

1. Policy R11 of the Lancaster District • such provision is within Local Plan requires developers of reasonable walking distance, new housing to provide open and space and children’s play areas in line with the standards set out • where any site upgraded in in this appendix. The City Council this way is of sufficient size will work with developers to and quality to meet the needs ensure that play facilities are both of its existing catchment considered as an integral part of and those generated by the design of new housing areas. proposed new dwellings. In particular, it will look to ensure that open space is located in Children’s Play Areas areas convenient to new family 4. The precise size and location of play dwellings and is of a size which areas within housing layouts will makes it suitable for as wide a be determined in agreement with range of games as possible. In the Head of Planning and general, the Council prefers open Building Control Services and space to be located in a small Head of Leisure Services in number of larger manageable accordance with the following areas rather than distributed in guidelines. small numbers throughout a development. 5. The City Council will require all developments of 20 or more 2. Developers should consult the Chief family dwellings to contain at Planning Officer and the Chief least 15 square metres of Leisure Officer on matters of useable open space per family distribution, design and choice of dwelling. Space provided in this equipment at an early stage. As a way should be conveniently general guide, the City Council located, reasonably level, well will expect developers to meet drained and generally suitable for the minimum standards set out children’s play. Within this area, below. This guidance applies to developers will be required to all private housing developments provide at least 4 square metres containing 20 or more family of surfaced play space per family dwellings. A family dwelling is dwelling designed to cater for the defined as a dwelling comprising needs of pre-school age children. of two or more bedrooms which The remaining areas should be are not designed specifically for grassed and maintained as elderly people or 1/2 person informal open space. households. 6. Children’s play areas should: 3. In exceptional circumstances the Council may accept a commuted • be conveniently located in sum to enable it to meet the relation to surrounding recreational needs of a dwellings and main development off the site where; pedestrian routes; • such a sum is equivalent to • be designed to minimise the cost of on site provision potential danger from nearby and maintenance, and roads; and

• be not less than 80 square Fencing metres in area; 12. Equipped play areas should be • consist of at least 4 items of fenced and fitted with self closing play equipment; gates designed to exclude dogs. 8. Developments which include 40 or Fences in urban areas should more family dwellings should also normally be metal with galvanised include play equipment which iron railings being preferred. caters for children up to the age Fences in rural areas may be of 11. acceptable in stained timber palisading. Standard details of metal and wooden fencing Kickabout Areas acceptable to the City Council 9. On schemes containing 40 or more can be obtained on request. family dwellings, the City Council will normally require the 11 Surfacing square metres of open space per family dwelling to be laid out in 13. The surfacing of equipped play areas the form of a grassed kickabout shall normally be bitumen area(s). These area(s) should be macadam, edged with concrete designed and constructed to or stone with wet pour safety allow all year round use and surfacing under play equipment. located in areas where they will In rural areas durable grade tree cause least disturbance to bark may be acceptable. residents. Litter Bins Information for 14. Should be of the rootfast type. Prospective Householders Seating

10. Developers will be required to install 15. Each children’s play area should and maintain signs at the location include at least one bench to of proposed play and kickabout allow adult supervision. These areas indicating clearly the future should be of strong construction use of these areas, the type of and design appropriate to the equipment that will be installed immediate environment. and the timescale for providing the facilities. Play Equipment 16. All play equipment should be Specification for Play constructed of metal or Areas substantial wooden construction. 11. This detailed guidance has been In urban areas, galvanised metal prepared to assist developers is preferred. If the equipment is who are preparing details of made of wood, metal ground playspace and children’s play fixings should be used. Multi- areas. All equipment and activity units with a number of surfacing should comply with the play items affixed may be used in current British or European Union lieu of separate items of Standard, whichever is the equipment. Swings or similar Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 208 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy) Lancaster District Local Plan Strike-through Edition Marked up to show Policies Not Saved and Policies Superseded by Core Strategy 4th September 2008 moving items may be • A commuted sum (to be index incorporated but not as part of a linked) to be paid by the multi-activity unit. developer to the Council in the event of the open space Miscellaneous being offered to the Council for adoption and future 17. Solid side or roof panels should not maintenance; and normally be incorporated. Vertical steps or ladders should not • In the event of the open normally be included. Rope space not being offered to the ladders or nets must be of a Council, define an appropriate reinforced construction. All maintenance regime to equipment shall be made and ensure the long-term installed to current British or availability of the open space. European standards, whichever is the higher. Appropriate safety surfaces, fences and gates and litter bins will normally be required for all equipped play areas. 18. The City Council will negotiate with developers to ensure, through a S106 agreement, that new residential developments make reasonable provision for recreational open space provision and maintenance. Such agreements will normally address the following elements;

• Definition of the areas to be covered by the agreement including areas of amenity space outside play areas; • Provision for the defined areas to be managed and maintained as public open space for active play and to be available for such use at all times; • Provision for the regular inspection and maintenance of the areas and the repair or replacement of defective equipment as necessary; • Establishment of a programme for the implementation of play areas and open spaces relative to the development as a whole together with dates for completion/handing over;

APPENDIX 2 – FLAT CONVERSIONS

Internal Standards External Standards 20. All flats must be fully self-contained 26. In general it is preferable that with their own kitchen, bathroom conversions should be carried out and toilet. within the existing shell of a building. However small 21. Rooms within flats must be of extensions and alterations will be adequate size for the purpose permitted where these can proposed. The submission of integrate with the character of the drawings indicating sample existing building and its furniture layouts may be required surroundings, where the in some instances. Suggested amenities of the adjoining minimum room sizes are as residents are not impaired and follows; where other recommended standards (car parking, amenity

Room Function Sq. m Sq. ft areas, refuse disposal) are not prejudiced. Lounge 11.1 120

Main Bedroom 10.2 110 27. A minimum external amenity/drying

Second Bedroom 4.7 50 area of 9.3 sq. m (100 sq. ft) should be provided for all Kitchen 5.6 60 conversions. The proposed area Bathroom 3.7 40 should be functional in shape and

reasonably accessible for the occupants of all units. A condition 22. Where living rooms and kitchens are will be imposed requiring these combined, the room size required facilities to be available for all will be the total of the sizes set occupants at all times. In mid- out above for each room. terraced situations, developers Combined bedrooms and should consider the use of kitchen/living rooms will not be basements for rear access, acceptable. Natural daylighting is additional storage space, laundry required to kitchen areas. etc. 23. Internal circulation within flats must 28. Bin storage areas shall be provided provide a maximum degree of for the occupants of all units. In convenience and safety for exceptional circumstances, occupiers. The inability of provision may be made at the property to provide a suitably front of the premises subject to convenient form of conversion will adequate space being available constitute a reason for refusal of and the provision of satisfactorily permission. designed containers.

24. The principal rooms of each flat Basement Flats should have an acceptable outlook. The provision of flats 29. Basements are generally considered with living rooms whose only to be unacceptable for the

Car Parking 33. Car parking will be required in accordance with the Council’s current standards and local plan policies. 34. Where all other factors are favourable, lack of car parking will not itself constitute a justification for the refusal of permission. There may, however, be areas where the existing problem of on- street parking and resultant congestion may dictate refusals.

APPENDIX 3 – DEVELOPMENT AFFECTING MOTORWAYS AND TRUNK ROADS

1. The Secretary of State is the highway within the Strategic Transport authority for the trunk road network Corridors. (which includes most motorways) in England. The Highway Agency, an • A65 within the District; executive agency of the DTLR, is • A683/A687 from Heysham to responsible for the management and Wrayton; maintenance of the network and delivery of the Secretary of State’s programme of Other Main Routes trunk road and motorway improvements. 7. These are good quality roads which 2. For development which may cause a acts as links between and into material increase in traffic on the the main towns and between M6 and/or its junctions, the those towns and the Primary Highways Agency will require a Routes. Transport Assessment and will require the developer to fund any • A6 within the District; necessary. • A589 – from A683 at 3. Transport Assessments will be Lancaster to A683 at required by the Highways Agency Heysham; for any development where any • A683 – from A687 at Wrayton significant increase in levels of to District boundary; traffic may directly or indirectly affect the national or trunk or • A5105 – from A589 at motorway system. The Highways Heysham to A6 at Bolton-le- Agency should be consulted at Sands; an early stage to agree the scope • Lancaster City Centre and content of the Transport Improvements (when Assessment. The Highways completed) Agency may require the developer to fund improvements to cater for development traffic. Distributor Roads (not defined) Road Hierarchy 8. These distribute traffic within towns and rural settlements. They are 4. The District’s road hierarchy is set intended to cater for movements out in the Lancashire Structure from locality to locality and to link Plan. This is reproduced below. these areas to the primary and other main routes. Motorways 5. These are special roads as defined Other Roads (not by Section 16 of the Highways defined) Act 1988. 9. Provide access to adjoining land or • M6 – within the District development.

Primary Routes Policy on Development in Relation to Trunk 6. These are high quality routes linking Roads major centres of population and provide for regional movements. 10. The Department of Transport’s policy They comprise trunk roads and is set out in Circular Roads 4/88. the more important ‘A’ Roads. In summary the policy is as They form the highway network follows:

APPENDIX 4 – PREVIOUS LOCAL PLAN POLICIES

1. This section of the Local Plan looks at the Council’s four previous local plans for Carnforth, Lancaster, the North Lancashire Green Belt and Morecambe and Heysham. It explains which of the policies are carried forward into the Lancaster District Local Plan and where they have been incorporated or modified. It also explains which policies have been omitted or dropped and why. 2. Policies have been dropped for a number of reasons such as where;

• the proposals to which they relate have already been implemented; • they have become out of date due to changed circumstances, changes in central Government guidance and strategic planning policy; • they duplicate other policies; • they relate to issues outside the scope of a local plan under current Government guidance; • the Council has decided not to proceed with the proposals to which they relate; • they relate to matters of detail inappropriate in a District wide Local Plan which are better dealt with through the Development Control process or through Supplementary Planning Guidance; • they relate to matters for which other Council functions or other bodies such as Lancashire County Council have responsibility. The policies of the four previous local plans are considered in detail below.

Carnforth Local Plan

Lane Link Road Policy 38,41 Employment – Replaced by EC3, 1-2 Development in Areas of Replaced by E3 Kellet Road EC7 Outstanding Natural 39,42 Employment – Replaced by H6 Beauty Lundsfield 3 Green Belt definition Replaced by E1 40 Industrial Development Replaced by EC7 4-5 Development in the Green Replaced by E2 43 Midland Railway Sheds Replaced by EC5, Belt EC7 6 Green Belt Enhancement Deleted – (Carnforth Levels) Not Land use Policy 44 Iron Slag Tip Replaced by E17 7,8,9 Areas of Special Replaced by E4 (Now County Landscape Biological Heritage 10 Countryside Replaced by E4 Site) 11 Countryside Deleted – 45 Scrapyard, Millhead Deleted – Enhancement Not Land use Policy County Matter 12- Open Coastline Replaced by E5 46- Lodge Quarry Replaced by 13 47 EC5,EC6,EC7 14 SSSIs Replaced by E16 48 Housing – Crag Bank Implemented 15- Urban Fringe; Developed for 49 Other Housing Replaced by H19 18 Crag Bank Housing Development Kellet Road Replaced by EC3, 50 Housing Design Replaced by EC6 North Road H12,H13 Deleted – unfeasible. 51 Housing Improvement Deleted – 19 Derelict Land Deleted – New St/Edward St Not Land use Policy Not Land use Policy 52 Non-Residential Replaced by EC15 20 Retention of Key Deleted – Development Buildings Contrary to PPG12 53 Housing Improvement Deleted – 21 Local Distinctiveness Replaced by H12 Hill St/Stanley St Not Land use Policy 22 Market Street – One Way Deleted – 54 Environmental Deleted – Unfeasible Improvements Not Land use Policy 23 Highway Reservations Deleted – Not needed Hill St/Stanley St Lancaster Rd/Market St 55 Housing Improvement Deleted – Market St/Haws Hill Millhead Not Land use Policy Haws Hill/A6 56 Non-Residential Replaced by EC15 24 Haws Hill Car Park Developed for Development Housing 57 Housing Improvement Deleted – 25 Market Square Implemented Pond Street Not Land use Policy Improvements 58 Non-Residential Replaced by EC15 26 Auction Mart Car Park Implemented Development 27 Parking – Deleted – 59- Canal Park Replaced by E30,R9 Carnforth Station No longer needed 61 28 Rear Servicing Deleted – 62 Auction Mart Health Implemented Centre Not Land use Policy 63 School Site Crag Bank Replaced by H5 29 Market Street Parking Deleted – 64 Shopping - General Replaced by Not Land use Policy S1,S2,S11 30 Access Restrictions Deleted – 65 Redevelopment of shops Deleted – Not Land use Policy Unnecessary 31 Weight Limit – Deleted – 66-8 Auction Mart site (Booths) Implemented North Road Not Land use Policy 69 Specialist Retailing Replaced by S1,S11 32 Traffic Generating Replaced by EC3, Development EC7, T22

33 Waiting Restrictions Deleted – Not Land use Policy 34 Bus Lay Bys Deleted – Not Land use Policy 35 Access to Steamtown Implemented 36 Access to Marina Deleted – No longer needed 37 Grosvenor Street/Hag Relevant to Policy H5

Lancaster Local Plan

40 Traffic Restrictions Deleted – Policy Not Land use Policy 1 Green Belt Replaced by E1 41 Environmental Deleted – 2-3 Development in the Green Replaced by E2 Improvements Not Land use Policy Belt 42 Retail Development Sites Replaced by S3 4,5,6 Special Landscape Areas Replaced by E4, E31 43 Street Furniture Deleted – 7 Countryside Replaced by E4 Not Land use Policy 8 Agricultural Land Replaced by E6 44 Views across the City Replaced by E35 9 Tree Planting Deleted – 45 Alterations - General Deleted – Not Land use Policy Over-detailed 10 Priority Planting Areas Replaced by E27 47 Open Land of Key Replaced by E31 11 Planting and Development Replaced by E28 Townscape Importance 12 Planting 48 Open Spaces Replaced by E29 Newton Beck Implemented 49 Heysham/M6 Link Replaced by s4.1 Marsh Point Replaced by E27 50-51 City Centre Access Rd Not carried forward 13 Footpaths, Bridleways and Replaced by T24-27 52 Damside Link Road Not carried forward Cycle Tracks 53 Kingsway Improvements Replaced by T10,T11 14 SSSIs Replaced by E16 54 Traffic Calming Deleted – 15 Access Corridors Replaced by E47 Not Land use Policy 16-17 Demolition of Listed Replaced by E32 55-56 City Centre Car Parks Replaced by T13 Buildings 57 On-street Car Parking Deleted – 18 Listed Building Grants Deleted – Not Land use Policy Not Land use Policy 58 Bulk Street Multi Storey Not carried forward 19 Archaeology - General Replaced by E45 59 Bus Station Car Park Not carried forward 20-21 Archaeology – Replaced by E46 60 St Leonardgate Not carried forward Investigation and Recording Multi Storey Car Park 22 Castle and City Centre Implemented 61 Car Park Design Deleted – Conservation Areas None Proposed 23 Demolition in the Castle Replaced by E37 62-3 Temporary Car Parks Deleted – Conservation Area New Approach 24 Development in the Castle Replaced by E37 64-5 Private Car Parks Replaced by T14 Conservation Area 66 Parking outside the centre Replaced by T16 25,26 Alterations in the Castle Replaced by E39 67 Caton Rd Lorry Park Deleted – Conservation Area No longer needed 27 Shopfronts in the Castle Replaced by E39 68-9 Residents Parking Deleted – Conservation Area Not Land Use Policy 28 Advertisements in the Replaced by E39 Castle Conservation Area 70 Footpath and Cycle Links Replaced by T24-T27 29 Area of Special Control Implemented 71 Canal Towpath Access Deleted – 30 Open land in the Castle Replaced by E35,E38 Not Land Use Policy Conservation Area 72 Industrial Allocations Replaced by EC5 31 Quay Meadow Deleted – Caton Road Replaced by EC2 Management Not Land use Policy Lancaster Business Park Replaced by EC5 32 Castle Development Replaced by TO2 White Lund 33 Non-Residential Replaced by E40 73 Mellishaw South Replaced by EC2 Conversions 74 Luneside Replaced by EC5 34 Local Parking Schemes Deleted – 75 Assistance for Deleted – Not Land use Policy Development Not Land Use Policy 35,36 Demolition in the City Replaced by E37 76 Development Briefs Deleted – Not Policy Centre Conservation Area 77 Improvement Strategies Deleted – 37 New Building in the City Replaced by E38 Not Land Use Policy Centre Conservation Area 78 Road Reservations 38 Shopfronts in the City Replaced by E42 Whitegate Not carried forward Centre Conservation Area Luneside Not carried forward 79 Luneside Access Deleted – 39 Environmental Deleted – Not Land Use Policy Improvements in Not Land use Policy 80 White Cross Replaced by EC5 Great John Street 81-2 Special Uses Deleted – Use Classes

Policy 1 Definition Replaced by E1 2 Purpose Replaced by E1 3 Acceptable Development Replaced by E2 4 Exceptions Replaced by E2 5 Land at Coastal Road Replaced by H5 6 Conversions Replaced by E20 7 Design of Development Replaced by E4 8 Special Landscape Areas Replaced by E4 9 Development in Special Landscape Areas Replaced by E4 10 Countryside area Replaced by E4 11 Development in the Countryside Replaced by E4 12 Lundsfield South Replaced by E16, E25 13 Open Coast Replaced by E5 14 Agricultural Land Replaced by E6 15 SSSIs Replaced by E16 16 Non-Statutory Nature Conservation Sites Replaced by E17,E18 17 Tree Preservation Orders Deleted – Not Land Use Policy 18 Tree Planting Deleted –Not Land Use Policy 19 Archaeology Replaced by E44-E46 20 Recreation Replaced by R7 21 Footpaths and Cycleways Replaced by T24-T27 22 Lancaster Canal Park Replaced by R9

Morecambe and Heysham Local Plan

(Note – This Plan contained a large number of Not Land Use Policy Statements of Corporate Intent which were numbered 60 Design of New Development Replaced by H12 with the plan policies but which were not Policies) 61 Changes of Use Deleted – DC Matter Policy 62 Extensions/Adverts Deleted – DC Matter 1 Heysham-M6 Link Replaced by s4.1 63 Removal of Extensions Deleted – 2 Westcliffe Road Upgrading Deleted – Not Land Use Policy No Longer Required 64 Access Corridors Replaced by E47 3-4 Promenade Relief Road Implemented 65 Small Housing Sites Replaced by H19 6 Traffic Generation – Main Deleted – 66 Housing Sites Roads County Matter Mossgate Commenced 7 New Station Site Implemented Westgate Replaced by H2 8 Park and Ride Site Replaced by H4 Chestnut Drive Implemented 9 Traffic Generation - Deleted – 67 Development Briefs Deleted – Neighbourhoods County Matter Not Land Use Policy 11 Cycle Network Replaced by T24-27 68 Housing Opportunity sites 16 Servicing and Deleted – Central Promenade Developed Traffic Management County Matter Westgate North Replaced by H3 18 Traffic Reduction on Marine Deleted – Westgate South Implemented Road County Matter Poulton Market Implemented 19-20 Central Promenade Implemented Bus Station Implemented 21 Car Park Design Deleted – Acre Moss La Depot Implemented No longer Needed Summerville Caravan Pk Replaced by H3 22 Shopper Car Parks Replaced by T19 Christie Park Deleted 23 Poulton Car Park Replaced by T21 Heathfoot Avenue Implemented 26 Foodstore Implemented 69 Sheltered Housing Replaced by H17 27 Leisure needing Parking Implemented 70-71 Nursing/Rest Homes Replaced by H18 28 Market Implemented 72 Residential Caravans Replaced by H13 29 Station Buildings Implemented 73 Flat Conversions Replaced by H14 30 Bubbles/Stone Jetty Implemented 74 Upgrading of HMOs Deleted – 31 Winter Gardens Replaced by TO1 Not Land-Use Policy 32 Development Brief Replaced by TO1 75 Regularising of HMOs Replaced by H22 34 Leisure Schemes Elsewhere Replaced by TO1 76 Unauthorised HMOs Deleted – 35 Foodstores Elsewhere Replaced by S1,S2 Not Land-Use Policy 36 Non Food Retailing – Implemented 78 Extensions to hotels Deleted – DC Matter Mellishaw South 79 Holiday Flat Conversions Replaced by H22 37 Protected Retail Frontages Replaced by S9 80 Caravan Site Opening Times Replaced by TO8 38 Amusement Related Uses Replaced by S10 81-83 Caravan Sites Replaced by TO6-7 39 Employment Areas Replaced by 84 Land for Community Use Deleted EC5,EC6 85 Kingsway School Sites Implemented 40 Port of Heysham Replaced by Levens Drive School Sites Replaced by E29 EC5,EC11 86 Countryside Areas Replaced by E4 41 Warehousing and Storage Replaced by EC6 87 Conversions Replaced by E20 43 Mellishaw South Replaced by EC2 88 Urban Coastline Replaced by E31 44 Special Industries Deleted – 89 SSSIs Replaced by E16 Use Class abolished 90 Woodland Opportunity Area Replaced by E26-7 45 Outdoor Storage Replaced by EC6 91 Sites of Biological Replaced by E17 46 Telecommunications Replaced by E23 Importance 47-9 Development in Replaced by E38 95 Green Spaces Replaced by E29 Conservation Areas 96 Small Open Spaces Replaced by H19 50-1 Alterations and Shopfronts in Replaced by E39 Conservation Areas 98 Open Space in Housing Replaced by R10 Sites 52 Article 4 Directions Deleted – 99 Children’s Playspace Replaced by R10 Not Land Use Policy

53-4 Demolition of Listed Replaced by E32 Buildings 55-7 Archaeology Replaced by E45-46 58 Coastal Protection Part Implemented 59 Forecourt Trading Deleted –

APPENDIX 5 – THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE DWELLINGS

target figure for Affordable Royal Albert A B B B B B Dwellings which the Council will Lancaster Moor B A B B A B seek to secure through North negotiation from approvals for St Georges C A A C C A residential development in the Works Local Plan period. Pyes Feedmill C B A C C c

8. The base date for the Lancaster A = Significant District Local Plan is mid 1996 B = Typical Requirement while the above figures are C = Minimal Requirement deducted from a base date of Note) A shaded box indicates a particularly significant burden September 1995, however, as no Affordable Dwellings units were Part B: Locational Attributes/Suitability actually achieved in this period so for Affordable Housing the target figure is unaffected.

Services Employment to Proximity Types Dwelling Range of Potential Transport Access to Public Proposed) or (Existing Schools to Proximity Playspace Access to Children’s Affordable Housing Suitability for Summary 9. Of the total number of concealed households around 70% are based in the main urban area of Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham. It follows that around 70%, of the stock of new Royal Albert B A A B A A Lancaster Moor C A B B A B affordable homes, about 520 North dwellings, should be developed St Georges Works B C B B B C

within suitable sites in the urban Pyes Feedmill A C A C B C area.

A = Excellent B = Average C = Poor

Note) a shaded box indicates Particularly Excellent Locational Attributes

Part C: Individual Site Target for Affordable Dwellings

Total Dwellings Affordable to 2006 Dwellings (Site Target)

Royal Albert 350 70 Lancaster Moor 0 0 North St George’s 150 30 Works Pye’s Feedmill 100 20

TOTAL 1445 275

APPENDIX 6 - LANCASHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL CAR PARKING STANDARDS

Use Description Non- Cycle Spaces Class Operational (Minimum) Car Parking Spaces (maximum)

A1 Shops 1 car space per 1 cycle space 20 sq. m gross per 200 sq. m floorspace gross floorspace

A2 Financial and 1 car space per 1 cycle space Professional 20 sq. m gross per 200 sq. m Services floorspace gross floorspace

A3 Food and Drink 1 car space per 1 cycle space Uses (excluding 6 sq. m gross per 200 sq. m associated floorspace gross residential floorspace accommodation)

B1 Administrative 1 car space per 1 cycle space Offices/ 35 sq. m gross per 350 sq. m Research And floor-space. gross floor- Development space.

Industry 1 car space per 1 cycle space Suitable to a 50 sq. m gross per 500 sq. m Primarily floor-space. gross floor- Residential space. Area

B2 General 1 per 50 sq. m 1 cycle space Industrial gross floor- per 500 sq. space. metres gross floor-space.

B8 Storage or 1 car space per 1 cycle space Distribution 200 sq. m gross per 2,000 sq. m floor-space. gross floorspace.

C1 Hotel, Motel, 1 car space 1 cycle space D1 Medical/ Health 3 car parking One cycle Boarding or per guest per 10 guest Services spaces per space per three Guest House bedroom bedrooms consulting consulting 1 coach room. rooms Note: where the premises are open to space per 50 non-residents for guest Creche, Day 1 car space 1 cycle space conferences/ functions bedrooms Nursery and per 25 sq. m per three car the appropriate amount of additional parking Day Centre gross spaces space shall be floorspace. separately assessed in relation to the guidance for such uses. Primary and 1 car space 4 cycle spaces Secondary per per classroom Schools classroom or Nursing, Rest 1 car space 1 cycle space Note: The potential alternative and Care per five per 5 environmental and highway safety teaching area Homes residents employees problems associated (whole time with on-street setting equivalent) down and picking up of school children is acknowledged. However, it is not Residential 1 car space 1 cycle space normally considered practical or desirable to Schools, per bedroom per 10 make formal off-street Colleges Or in buildings bedrooms provision. Training Centres proposed for Nevertheless, careful consideration should be And Halls Of adults on given to this issue at Residence short the planning and design stage to ensure courses. that child and highway safety is not 1 car space compromised. per 2 bedrooms in Sixth Form and 1 car space 1 cycle space buildings Further per 35 sq. m per 35 sq. m proposed/des Education gross gross igned for Colleges floorspace; floorspace; students on full-time Training and 1 car space 1 cycle space courses. Conference per 35 sq. m per 35 sq. m Centres gross gross Hospitals 2 car spaces 1 cycle space floorspace; floorspace; per 5 bed- per 30 bedspaces spaces. Art Galleries, 1 car space 1 cycle space Museums and per 30 sq. m per 150 sq. m Libraries gross gross Family Housing 2 car spaces floorspace; floorspace; per dwelling

Public Halls, 1 car space 1 cycle space Exhibition Halls per 10 sq. m per 50 sq. m Single Bedroom 1 car space per dwelling or Places of gross gross Housing Worship floorspace; floorspace; Sheltered 1 car space Housing per three D2 Assembly and 1 car space 1 cycle stand dwellings Leisure per 15 sq. m per 15 sq. m Note) Having regard gross gross to the advice in floorspace; floorspace; PPG13 and that parking guidance is more likely to influence modal choice, rather than car ownership rates, it is not considered appropriate to set ‘maximum’ or ‘minimum’ levels of parking space for housing developments. Rather, a flexible approach is advocated having regard to the anticipated car ownership rates of future occupiers and the need to provide high density development in areas of good access to other means of travel. The following broad guidance is offered as to the levels of parking which may be appropriate for various types of housing development.

Car Sales 1 car space 1 cycle space per 50 sq. m per 500 sq. m of display of display area area (internal (internal and and external); external);

Fuel Stations 1 car space;

Vehicle Repair 1 car space Garages and per 50 sq. m Service Stations gross floorspace;

Other Uses Parking provision for other land use types shall be considered on their merits and in line with that set out in this guidance.

Operational Parking Levels 12. On-site space shall not be provided in excess of that required to accommodate the number and size of vehicles likely to serve the development at any one time to manoeuvre and stand for loading and unloading. Reduced operational space will be encouraged where:

• opportunities are available for shared use of parking space; and/or • opportunities are available for on-street servicing provided that: • it would not cause inconvenience to other uses of the site or neighbouring property; • it would not cause local environmental harm; • it would not have a significant adverse effect on the flow of traffic or road safety. 13. Provision of operational parking shall be subject to the inclusion of appropriate spaces for cycles, Policy in Red Strikethrough: Policy was Not Saved (it is no longer part of the Development Plan) Policy in Black Strikethrough: Policy is Wholly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (is no longer part of Dev. Plan) Policy has Dashed Underlining: Policy is Partly Superseded by Policies of the Core Strategy (it should continue to be taken into 238 account along with the pertinent Core Strategy Policy)