Central Lancs Local Plan heads to Westminster

Chorley, Preston and South Ribble Borough councils have submitted the draft Central Lancashire Local Plan (CLLP) to the secretary of state. 

The submission was seen as a “significant milestone” for the document, which has been in development between the three councils since 2018. 

It comes after a series of extensive consultations, which ran from February to April this year, giving the public a final opportunity to give feedback on the plan.

The CLLP is a strategic plan for Chorley, Preston and South Ribble and sets out the three councils’ approach to managing and delivering development - residential, employment and other infrastructure - and protecting the environment for the three districts between 2023 and 2041. 

Its authors say the strategy will support the delivery of a number of “ambitions and objectives” including the provision of affordable housing, tackling health and social inequalities and the climate emergency.

Colin Sharples, cabinet member for economic growth and planning at South Ribble. said “It’s been a long journey to get the draft Central Lancashire Local Plan to this stage, and I want to thank all those who have worked since 2018 to make it happen, along with all those who provided vital feedback.

“The local plan allows us to be in a strong position to support sustainable development which will enhance South Ribble, allowing the borough to continue to see growth and to make sure we can keep up with the housing and employment demand.”

Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council, added: “There has been an incredible amount of hard work to get to this stage, and I want to acknowledge all the residents and other stakeholders who have provided valuable feedback and helped to shape the plan.”

And Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council said reaching this point in the process was a “significant achievement”.

He added: “This Local Plan is vital in helping us manage future growth in Preston in a way that is both sustainable and sensitive to the needs of our communities.

“It ensures we have a clear, shared vision for where new homes, jobs, and services should be located, while protecting the spaces and places that matter most to local people.”

See more about the Central Lancashire Local Plan and view all documents at https://centrallocalplan.lancashire.gov.uk/ under ‘Examination’.