Shaping a Better Future Publication of the Development Management document for Lancaster district and the Morecambe Area Action Plan The council has now published a Development Management Development Plan Document (DPD) for Lancaster district. This contains policies which will be used by the council to determine planning applications. Also being published is the Morecambe Area Action Plan (MAAP) which will guide regeneration in Central Morecambe.
Both documents have now reached a formal ‘Publication’ stage and the council are inviting representations from interested parties on their soundness (i.e. compliance with national planning policy) and their legal compliance with planning legislation. This representation period runs for six weeks from Thursday 10th October and concludes on Thursday 21st November at 5pm.
What is the Development Management DPD?
Next Steps
The Development Management DPD sets out a series of planning policies which will be used by the council to determine planning applications. These policies will be applicable to nearly all types of development anywhere in the district.
Following the conclusion of the Publication period on the 21st November, the council will submit all relevant documentation, including representations received, to the Government via the Planning Inspectorate. This will start the period of public examination. The examination period will involve a public inquiry which will give the Inspector an opportunity to hear remaining objections to the documents.
The policies included in the DPD relate to a series of economic, environmental and social matters and address issues such as the protection of
town centres and protection of environmental and built features. It will also set criteria-based policies which address controversial issues such as renewable energy development and new housing. The Development Management DPD does not however seek to allocate land for future development needs. This will be included within a future document called the Land Allocations DPD.
What is the Morecambe Area Action Plan? The Morecambe Area Action Plan (MAAP) DPD provides the detailed planning policies and allocation of land for the Regeneration Priority Area of Morecambe. It is to be used with other development plan documents for applicants, the council’s development management officers and Planning Committee to determine planning applications.
The focus of the MAAP is regeneration. As part of the new Local Plan it will become the starting point for planning decisions concerning central Morecambe and help guide investment decisions and direct actions.
Attend a Drop-In Session Council officers will be able to answer questions on both documents and how you are able to make representations at the following times and locations: Thursday 17th October
Hornby Institute
(2pm – 7pm)
Tuesday 22nd October
Lancaster Library
(2pm – 7pm)
Monday 28th October
Carnforth Library
(2pm – 7pm)
Thursday 31st October
Morecambe Library
(2pm – 7pm)
Alternatively please visit Morecambe Town hall during normal office hours to speak to a member of the Planning and Housing Policy Team.
Following the inquiry the inspector will prepare an independent report which will recommend any changes to the documents prior to their adoption by the council for planning purposes. It is anticipated that submission of the document will take place in December and a public inquiry in Spring 2014.
How to Make a Representation Any representations made on either document must be completed using a formal representation form. Hard copies of these forms are available at local libraries and town halls and available to download via the council’s website: www.lancaster.gov.uk/planningpolicy Representation forms can also be posted out on request. A guide on how to complete the representation forms is also available at local libraries and town halls and available to download from the above address.
Completed representation forms should be posted to the following address: The Planning and Housing Policy Team, Lancaster City Council, PO Box 4, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1QR Or electronically to: planningpolicy@lancaster.gov.uk Representations which are not made using a formal representation form or do not address the issues of soundness and/or legal compliance or are not received before 5pm on Thursday 21st November 2013 cannot be accepted as valid.
For Further Information For further information on the document or assistance in completing a representation form please contact a member of the Planning and Housing Policy Team on 01524 582383 or by email to: planningpolicy@lancaster.gov.uk