Location of Development
Click here to see the suggested Issues and Options for this theme
Our map of
the Central Lancashire City area shows an extensive developed area
based around Chorley, Leyland and Bamber Bridge, and Preston. A
number of smaller villages and hamlets are located within the
countryside surrounding the main urban areas. Much of the
countryside surrounding the built up areas is Green Belt.
Regional Spatial Strategy
We need to take account of the emerging North West Regional Spatial
Strategy when we prepare our Core Planning Strategy.
The draft Regional Spatial Strategy identifies Preston as one of a
number of regional centres in the north-west where new development
will be concentrated. This is a very broad regional policy and it is
not so clear about the future of our towns such as Chorley, Leyland
and Adlington, places that adjoin Preston, such as Penwortham and
Walton-le-Dale, connecting settlements such as Clayton Brook and
Whittle-le-Woods, and our many villages and hamlets.
We need to clarify the future roles of these places in our Local
Development Framework. What are your views?
Green Belt
Over 50%, some 23,000 hectares, of land in the Central Lancashire
City is in the Green Belt. The draft Regional Spatial Strategy
states that the general area of the region’s Green Belt should be
maintained into the future but accepts that some changes may be
necessary in Lancashire and other parts of the north-west after
2011. Before then the strategy acknowledges that it may be necessary
to alter Green Belt boundaries locally and on a small scale through
Local Development Frameworks.
When we think about meeting the possible development needs of the
Central Lancashire City area in the most sustainable way, a review
of its boundaries may be considered as an option.
What are your thoughts on reviewing the Green Belt in the Central
Lancashire City area?
Previously developed and greenfield land
A key development principle of the draft Regional Spatial Strategy
is making better use of land, buildings and infrastructure. When we
plan for new development we need to follow a sequence.
The first priority is to use existing buildings within settlements
and the second priority is to use previously developed land in
built-up areas. Studies indicate that some 12,200 new homes could be
accommodated on previously developed land in the Central Lancashire
City area.
The third priority is to consider developing other land that is well
located in relation to houses, jobs, services and transport. This
could include greenfield sites on the edges of urban areas and land
that has been set aside for possible development in the longer term.
What do you think about development in the Central Lancashire City
area on previously developed and greenfield land?
Greenspace networks
The draft Regional Spatial Strategy encourages the identification of
greenspace networks within and between existing built up areas and
as part of new developments.
Does the identification of greenspace networks seem like a good
idea?
New settlements and urban extensions
The draft Regional Spatial Strategy does not anticipate the need for
new settlements or major extensions to existing settlements, but it
does not rule them out. There would have to be a proven demand for
them, and they would also need to be sustainable.
Should we consider a new settlement or a major extension to an
existing settlement in the Central Lancashire City area?
Retail, leisure, office and service development
In line with national planning guidance, the draft Regional Spatial
Strategy expects most retail, leisure, office and other service
developments to be located within city and town centres. The reasons
for this are to make sure that we have a sustainable network of
urban and rural settlements, to minimise the need to travel
(particularly by car), and to minimise the use of greenfield land.
Do you have any views on where retail, leisure, office and other
service development should be located?
Background information
Chorley, Preston and South Ribble councils have each produced urban
potential or capacity studies, which are working documents that can
be viewed on the authorities’ own websites (See
LINKS page).
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