Councils to meet to agree Central Lancashire Local Plan 2023 – 2041 draft

South Ribble Council, Chorley Council and Preston City Council have developed the publication version of Central Lancashire Local Plan (CLLP).

It is now with councillors of each of the councils for approval of the Publication Version and to agree the commencement of a statutory consultation which will run from 10 February until 30 March 2025.

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

 It is an important strategy which supports delivery of corporate ambitions and objectives, such as provision of affordable housing, tackling health and social inequalities and tackling the climate emergency.

It sets out a mandate for the three councils in shaping future growth in the three districts and ensuring this is determined locally.

Following the consultation there will be a period where the planning inspector will scrutinise the plan and then once adopted, it will replace the Central Lancashire Core Strategy (2012), the Chorley Local Plan (2015), the Preston Local Plan (2015) and the South Ribble Local Plan (2015).

The draft plan for publication presents the newly proposed Local Plan which will go live on Monday, 10 February 2025. This consultation is referred to as Regulation 19.

Regulation 19 is the final opportunity for stakeholders, consultation bodies and any others to provide feedback on the new local plan, before it’s submitted to the Secretary of State in Summer 2025.

Representations made on this plan must only refer to the tests of soundness and legal compliance of the plan and set where and how the local plan does not meet the tests. Representors are asked if they wish to suggest a change to part of the local plan, they clearly set out why and how the plan should be changed.

More detail on the consultation, and how to contribute, will be shared in early February.

Coun Jacky Alty, leader at South Ribble Borough Council said: “The Local Plan has been in development since 2018 and already there has been multiple consultations to get views from our residents about where they think future development should take place in South Ribble.

“I am pleased that we are now at the stage to consider the Publication Version of the plan with the view to submit to Government in the summer after this final consultation.

“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 demand.”

Coun Alistair Bradley, leader of Chorley Council said: “The Local Plan is an incredibly important document, which allows us to shape the future landscape of Chorley by outlining areas for development, ensuring that we can see sustainable and considered growth in the borough, whilst seeking to protect our precious green space.

“Without a robust Local Plan in place, we are left in a much weaker position when it comes to challenging developments we think are unsuitable for Chorley.  We are supportive of development in Chorley – as it is vital for the continued growth of the borough, supplying space for people to live and work - but only when done in a planned way, where infrastructure can keep up.

“I look forward to considering the draft document fellow councillors next week.”

Coun Matthew Brown, leader at Preston City Council, said: “This is an important phase of the Central Lancashire Local Plan and reflects Preston City Council’s vision as a growing city, focused on delivering the types of homes required, including more affordable housing, to address health and social inequalities. 

“Crucially, the plan aligns with our Community Wealth Building strategy, fostering the creation of more and better-quality job opportunities, and supporting skills development. 

“Our strong history of collaboration with South Ribble and Chorley Councils has facilitated strategic planning in a cost-effective and efficient manner.”

The documents relating to the South Ribble Borough Council meeting can be found at  www.southribble.gov.uk/CLLP-publicationversion