Lancaster City Council is inviting residents and other interested people to become a planner for an evening by taking part in a series of events.
At the events, participants will be asked to decide how they would meet and manage the district’s future housing requirements.
This will help the council prepare two important planning documents which will form part of the Lancaster District Local Development Framework – a planning framework which will shape the future growth of the district between 2011 and 2021.
The Development Management document will set out a series of policies that guide and influence future development to make sure it is well designed, appropriately located and sustainable. This will be used by the city council’s Development Management Team for determining planning applications.
The second document, entitled ‘Land Allocations’, will seek to allocate land for future development needs including housing, employment, leisure and retail. This document will also protect sites which provide a specific value or purpose, such as the protection of the natural environment, historical areas and important recreational spaces.
“The future development of our district is something that affects us all,” says Coun Abbott Bryning, Cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration, “and the council wants to hear the views of residents on where and how they would like to see any future housing or other developments take place. I would encourage anyone interested to attend one of these consultation events to find out more and get involved.”
The events will take place in the following locations:
Lancaster: Storey Creative Industries Centre, Wednesday 9th February, 7-9pm
Morecambe: The Platform, Tuesday 15th February, 7-9pm
Carnforth: Carnforth Railway Station, Wednesday 23rd February, 7-9pm
Heysham: Youth and Community Centre, Wednesday 2nd March, 7-9pm
Lune Valley: Hornby Institute, Wednesday 9th March, 7-9pm
Places are limited and therefore booking is essential. To ensure opportunities for a range of participants each person will only be able to book two places per event. To book a place, please contact Michelle Burrough on 01524 582383 or mburrough@lancaster.gov.uk
Following the consultation events, papers for both documents will be prepared in the summer which set out a range of options that could be used to deliver planning policies and land allocations. These papers will also be subject to public consultation.
A preferred approach for determining planning applications and the allocation of land will then be made available for public consultation in early 2012.
• Further information on the preparation of the Lancaster Local Development Framework can be found via the city council’s website – www.lancaster.gov.uk/ldf or on the Lancaster Local Development Framework Facebook pages.