Chorley Council, Preston City Council and South Ribble Borough Council has (30 June) submitted the draft Central Lancashire Local Plan (CLLP) to the Secretary of State.
This is a significant milestone for the plan which has been in development between the three councils since 2018.
The submission comes after a series of extensive consultations with residents and other stakeholders ending with a final consultation (known as the ‘Regulation 19’ consultation) which ran from February to April this year, which was the final opportunity for the public to give feedback on the plan.
The CLLP is a strategic plan for the areas of Chorley, Preston and South Ribble and sets out the three councils' approach to managing and delivering development (residential, employment and other infrastructure) and protecting the environment for the three districts between 2023 and 2041.
It is an important strategy which supports delivery of corporate ambitions and objectives, such as provision of affordable housing, tackling health and social inequalities and tackling the climate emergency.
Councillor Colin Sharples, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth and Planning at South Ribble Borough Council said “It’s been a long journey to get the draft Central Lancashire Local Plan to this stage, and I want to thank all those who have worked since 2018 to make it happen, along with all those who provided vital feedback.
“The Local Plan allows us to be in a strong position to support sustainable development which will enhance South Ribble, allowing the borough to continue to see growth and to make sure we can keep up with the housing and employment demand.”
Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of Chorley Council said, “I am pleased that we have reached this milestone and that the plan is now with the Secretary of State for her review. There has been an incredible amount of hard work to get to this stage, and I want to acknowledge all the residents and other stakeholders who have provided valuable feedback and helped to shape the plan.”
“The Local Plan allows us to shape the future landscape of Chorley by outlining areas for development, ensuring that we can see sustainable and considered growth in the borough, whilst seeking to protect our precious green space.”
Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council said, “Reaching this point in the Central Lancashire Local Plan process is a significant achievement, and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved over the years, from our dedicated officers to the residents and organisations who took the time to share their views.”
“This Local Plan is vital in helping us manage future growth in Preston in a way that is both sustainable and sensitive to the needs of our communities. The plan aligns with our Community Wealth Building strategy, fostering the creation of more and better-quality job opportunities and supporting skills development.
It ensures we have a clear, shared vision for where new homes, jobs, and services should be located, while protecting the spaces and places that matter most to local people.”
See more about the Central Lancashire Local Plan and view all documents at https://centrallocalplan.lancashire.gov.uk/ under ‘Examination’.