Economic Growth
 Click here to see the suggested Issues and Options for this theme
The Northern Way Growth Strategy
and the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) acknowledge that the
Central Lancashire City economy has performed well. Economic growth
rates are closer to the national than the regional average and
growth in the number of jobs exceeds national and regional rates.
This is expected to continue so that there will be 7,800 more jobs
in the area between 2005-2015. The area’s mix of advanced
manufacturing and engineering, biomedical and environmental
technologies and creative industries is growth-oriented. These
trends are expected to continue and may expand further given the
right opportunities and stimulation.
The draft Regional Spatial Strategy seeks to build on the region’s
economic strengths, particularly the opportunities that exist in the
city regions. It includes a strategy for the Central Lancashire
sub-region that states that economic performance should be raised
through a range of plans and strategies including:
• developing and putting into practice the Central Lancashire City
Vision;
• providing regional investment sites and knowledge nuclei sites;
and
• developing sub-regional employment opportunities.
What do you think are the planning issues with the Central
Lancashire City’s economic growth prospects?
Employment land requirements
The Local Development Frameworks can help to promote economic growth
by ensuring that there is enough land for premises for new and
growing businesses.
The Central Lancashire City area has two regional investment sites
at the former Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton and the Cuerden
Regional Business Park. They are identified in the Lancashire
Structure Plan and current local plans. Central Preston is
identified as the location for a ‘knowledge nuclei site’ to develop
knowledge-based sectors that can benefit from links to the
University of Central Lancashire.
The area also needs a range of sub-regional and local employment
sites that should be attractive to the market, in sustainable
locations, and adaptable to changes in the economy. The trend is
towards less manufacturing industry and more office/light industry.
Additional development sites may be required up to 2021.
Chorley, South Ribble and Preston form a single local labour market
area which accounts for most travel to work journeys in the county
(84%) so it makes sense for the Central Lancashire City authorities
to consider their employment land needs together. The Core Planning
Strategy should set out the broad approach for locating new
employment development, taking into account access for deliveries
and employees’ journeys to work.
Town centres are the focus of much economic activity, particularly
in the office, retail and leisure sectors - click the ‘URBAN
CENTRES’ link for more information. For more information on rural
economy issues click on the ‘RURAL AREAS’ link.
Where do you think we should locate our employment land?
Regeneration
Some parts of each main urban areas experience high levels of
deprivation, including high unemployment, low levels of economic
activity, and low levels of educational achievement (click onto the
‘Improving quality of life’ link for more information). We want to
harness Central Lancashire City’s economic growth potential in a
sustainable way that meets the needs of all communities so that as
many people as possible can have easy access to jobs.
Our urban areas still have a legacy of older industrial areas and
buildings, often located next to town centres, in the more deprived
inner areas. These areas still provide accommodation for many
businesses and opportunities for new enterprises, but the changing
nature of industry and employment means that many buildings are no
longer suitable for employment use and these areas are often
changing to other uses, particularly housing. Some existing
employment sites may need to be protected from housing development
to maintain a balanced economy.
What sort of employment uses should be retained in our urban areas?
Tourism, culture, and leisure
Tourism in our area includes day visitors and ’business tourism‘
associated with conferences and meetings. We have a range of high
quality heritage and tourism assets, including museums, art
galleries, theatres, conference venues and historic parks. Leisure,
sports and play facilities are also an important part of the
attractiveness of an area. Much more could be made of these assets,
particularly if linked to general public realm improvements in
Preston City Centre and the town centres of Leyland and Chorley.
What can we do to make the most of our tourism, cultural and leisure
assets?
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