Stage 2c - LP Preferred Option

Following consultation on the Preferred Options in May 2011, we listened to all the comments and made some changes to the document.

The Local Plan Preferred Option included an updated version of the draft policies provided in the previous paper, as well as site allocations and further policies for Development Management.  These will help assess planning applications and detail allocations for specific types of development.

The key changes to the document are:

  • A higher housing target of 4,650 new homes (previously it was 4,500) but with fewer homes in Skelmersdale 
  • A lower target of 75 hectares (was 87 ha) for employment land 
  • A Strategic Development Site at Yew Tree Farm, Burscough
  • Site allocations for housing, employment and mixed-use developments
  • Development Management policies
  • A new and more robust 'Plan B' for housing development, including Green Belt sites

The Local Plan Preferred Option Paper:

Supporting documents:
To make sure the Preferred Options we're proposing are fair to people and the environment, we have to prepare a series of assessments examining our policies against issues including sustainability, impact on habitats, equalities and health. There are also a series of technical papers and evidence papers to explain the reasoning and evidence behind the policies.

Publicity and consultation:

Consultation results

Consultation on the Local Plan Preferred Options document ran from 5 January-17 February 2012. Comments made were used to inform preparation of the Local Plan Publication document. Over 1300 comments were received, as well as 2 petitions. A summary of the issues raised, along with the Council's response and recommendations to them, is available in the Local Plan Preferred Options Feedback Report.

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