A Local Plan for Lancaster District 2020 – 2031 Plan period 2011 - 2031 Regulation 18 Consultation Draft Part One: Climate Change review of Strategic Policies & Land Allocations Development Plan Document [July 2021] Local Plan for Lancaster District – Part One: Climate Emergency Review of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD Local Plan for Lancaster District 2020-2031 (Plan period 2011 – 2031) Part One: Climate Change Review of the Strategic Policies & Land Allocations DPD Draft July 2021 1 Adoption Version July 2020 July 2021 Local Plan for Lancaster District – Part One: Climate Emergency Review of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD FOREWORD In light of the declaration of a climate emergency made by Lancaster City Council in January 2019, and the rapidly evolving recognition that climate change will have a significant impact on all aspects of our lives, the City Council has made the dynamic and ambitious decision to review the Local Plan to seek better environmental outcomes for the District as a whole, ultimately assisting with the delivery of the net zero carbon ambition of the council. The Local Plan Review looks at a range of topic areas, from water management and green and blue Infrastructure, through to energy efficiency standards, sustainable design and renewable energy generation as well as strategic transport and heritage considerations in the context of climate change. The policies that are included in the Local Plan Review will remain in place through to the early 2030’s and be used in the determination of all planning applications received by Lancaster City Council. The climate change local plan review is prepared in consultation with the local community, key stakeholders and the development industry and is subject to Examination by an independent planning Inspector to ensure that the plan is ‘sound’ and has been prepared in accordance with national legislation and has followed the correct procedures. This climate change local plan review continues to support the adopted Local Plan’s aim of promoting opportunities for housing and employment and deliver the infrastructure necessary to achieve sustainable development, but now goes further in positively and proactively considering climate change adaptation and mitigation in planning for development - to ensure that future generations have places to live and work. The Council believes that this climate emergency plan review correctly places sustainability at its heart, whilst balancing the need for delivering the district’s future development. The review recognises the increased importance that climate change impacts can have, whilst continuing to preserve the special characteristics of our district. The Local Plan Review essentially reviews two key documents. The first is the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) which sets out a spatial vision and strategy for the district, and establishes what the strategic development needs of the district are; and then describes how those needs will be distributed through a series of land allocations to identify where development needs will be met and where areas that are of specific economic, environmental or social importance will be protected. The second is the Development Management DPD, which sets out the planning policies that will be used to determine planning applications. Together these two documents make up the adopted Local Plan and guides how the future development needs of Lancaster district are met. It is these two DPDs that are being revisited as part of the Climate Emergency Local Plan Review. Lancaster district is a very special place for all who live, work and visit here; from the coastline of Morecambe Bay to the rolling landscape of the Lune Valley, the seaside towns of Morecambe and Heysham, the historic city of Lancaster, Carnforth with its nationally-significant railway-heritage, our many distinct villages, our two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We all share the desire to conserve and enhance and protect our unique district for generations to come. Councillor Gina Dowding Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning and Place Making 2 Adoption Version July 2020 July 2021 Local Plan for Lancaster District – Part One: Climate Emergency Review of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD 3 Adoption Version July 2020 July 2021 Local Plan for Lancaster District – Part One: Climate Emergency Review of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD Contents for Lancaster District ............................................................................................................................... 1 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 7 2. A Spatial Portrait of Lancaster District ............................................................................................ 14 3. A Spatial Vision for Lancaster District ............................................................................................. 19 4. Strategic Objectives for the Local Plan ............................................................................................ 21 5. Key Diagram for Lancaster District .................................................................................................. 25 6a. Presumption in Favour of Sustainable Development...................................................................... 26 POLICY SP1: PRESUMPTION IN FAVOUR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ....................................... 26 6b Strategic Climate Change Policy ......................................................................................................... 27 POLICY CC1: RESPONDING TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND CREATING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY ............................................................................................................................................................. 27 7. The Role and Function of our Towns and Villages .......................................................................... 28 POLICY SP2: LANCASTER DISTRICT SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY ............................................................. 29 POLICY SP3: DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR LANCASTER DISTRICT ................................................... 31 8. Economic Growth ............................................................................................................................ 35 POLICY SP4: PRIORITIES FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH PROSPERITY ................................ 38 POLICY SP5: THE DELIVERY OF NEW JOBS ........................................................................................... 40 9. Housing Delivery and Distribution .............................................................................................. 42 POLICY SP6: THE DELIVERY OF NEW HOMES ...................................................................................... 46 10. The Natural and Historic Environment ............................................................................................ 48 POLICY SP7: MAINTAINING LANCASTER DISTRICT’S UNIQUE HERITAGE ............................................ 48 POLICY SP8: PROTECTING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT .................................................................. 51 11. Delivering Infrastructure ................................................................................................................. 53 POLICY SP9: MAINTAINING STRONG AND VIBRANT COMMUNITIES .................................................. 54 POLICY SP10: IMPROVING TRANSPORT CONNECTIVITY ..................................................................... 55 12. Lancaster South Broad Location for Growth (including Bailrigg Garden Village) ........................... 58 POLICY SG1: LANCASTER SOUTH BROAD LOCATION FOR GROWTH (INCLUDING BAILRIGG GARDEN VILLAGE) .............................................................................................................................................. 59 POLICY SG2: LANCASTER UNIVERSITY HEALTH INNOVATION CAMPUS .............................................. 64 POLICY SG3: INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERY FOR GROWTH IN SOUTH LANCASTER .............................. 66 13. Central Lancaster ............................................................................................................................. 70 POLICY SG4: LANCASTER CITY CENTRE ................................................................................................ 70 POLICY SG5: CANAL QUARTER, CENTRAL LANCASTER ........................................................................ 73 POLICY SG6: LANCASTER CASTLE AND LANCASTER QUAY .................................................................. 77 14. East Lancaster Strategic Site............................................................................................................ 80 POLICY SG7: EAST LANCASTER STRATEGIC SITE .................................................................................. 80 POLICY SG8: INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENT & DELIVERY FOR GROWTH IN EAST LANCASTER ..... 84 4 Adoption Version July 2020 July 2021 Local Plan for Lancaster District – Part One: Climate Emergency Review of the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD 15. North Lancaster Strategic Site ......................................................................................................... 87 POLICY SG9: NORTH LANCASTER STRATEGIC SITE .............................................................................