In line with government planning reforms, the current Lancaster Local Plan is being replaced by a Core Strategy, which will be submitted to Government on 4 May 2007 and is the Council’s overarching spatial planning strategy for the period up until 2021.

The overall intention is “a sustainable district, whose quality of life and standards of development, comprising a prosperous knowledge-based city, a regenerated coast and a conserved countryside.

The council says the Strategy also sets out broad locations for new homes and jobs, regeneration areas and the district’s natural and built heritage. In addition it outlines how public and private agencies will help make the vision come to fruition in the run up to 2021. Underlying this strategy is the principle of urban concentration, with key themes of sustainable communities, economic regeneration, improving the environment and delivering quality services.

It will now be on deposit between 4 May and 15 June, during which time people can make supporting representations or formal objections. It will then be the subject of an ‘Independent Examination’ early next year.

You can make a comment by;

• Using the online representation form on the Council’s website (www.lancaster.gov.uk)
• Emailing your representation form to fforwardplanning@lancaster.gov.uk or
• Sending a paper copy of your representatives to the City Council

The Strategy, representation forms and all other relevant documents can be viewed and downloaded from the Council’s website (www.lancaster.gov.uk) and are available at Palatine Hall and Morecambe Town Hall.

Copies of the Strategy can also be viewed at all public libraries in the District and at University.