Council responds to National Planning Policy Framework consultation

West Lancashire Borough Council has submitted a detailed response to the Government's consultation on proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and the wider planning system.  

While welcoming some proposals, the Council has raised concerns over proposals relating to housing needs, and stressed the importance of the protection of agricultural land from built development and securing funding for essential infrastructure. 

The Government undertook a consultation on proposed changes to the NPPF, which is the Government's over-arching policy document on plan-making and decision-taking, between July and September. Following a review of the proposals, Council officers submitted a response to the consultation in September following consultation with and support from lead councillors.    

At a meeting of Council on 16 October, Councillors noted that a response was submitted to the Government addressing proposed reforms to the national planning policy, therefore formally endorsing the response.   

The response demonstrates the Council’s engagement with national planning policies and ensures that the interests of the Borough are reflected in shaping future planning regulations. 

Councillor Gareth Dowling, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Planning said: 

"Thank you to council officers for producing a substantial response to the Government's proposed reforms and for engaging with party leaders and lead members in the process and enabling input from all councillors, despite a tight timescale.  

“We understand that there is considerable interest in the proposals, and it is important that we respond to these consultations to ensure that the interests of the Borough's residents and businesses are reflected in shaping future planning reforms.  

“As a Council, we recognise the importance of providing homes for our residents and space for businesses to grow, however this must not be at the cost of irreversible environmental damage, particularly to our regional and nationally important farming land. 

“Our West Lancashire farmland is among the highest standard in the country and of national significant importance and therefore we are determined to ensure that this is protected.  

“It remains this council's belief and position that there should be zero development on farmland as we enter the next Local Plan period, and we hope that any reforms to the NPPF will recognise and respect this quarter billion pound industry here in West Lancashire which provides fresh food nationally." 

The Council's response is available to view at: https://democracy.westlancs.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=23163  

Further details about the proposed changes to national planning policy are available on the government’s website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-reforms-to-the-national-planning-policy-framework-and-other-changes-to-the-planning-system