50 CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
By Ged Henderson Cuerden’s ‘Lancashire Central’ vision BUSINESS IN THEIR SITES
A weighty document currently been drawn up in central Lancashire’s local corridors of power is set to have a major influence on the economic wellbeing of this part of the county for years to come.
Preston, South Ribble and Chorley’s councils are moving steadily forward in their mission to create and adopt a combined Local Plan.
Their collaboration is looking to create a strategic plan for the whole of central Lancashire until 2036, to ensure the “sustainable location” of development and investment opportunities.
Much of the focus is on housing, with residential development a massive continuing issue for communities across the area, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas.
However, those working to draw up the plan stress the creation of employment opportunities is equally important, with a current shortage of sites for business and industrial development.
There is the large-scale ‘Lancashire Central’ site at Cuerden. The 65-hectare development area is earmarked for a mix that includes office, logistics and manufacturing use.
The former Leyland test track site in South Ribble is also the subject of a planning application to build a business park. The aim is to create new modern office facilities, as well as light industrial and warehousing.
However, Jonathan Noad, shared director of planning and development at Chorley South Ribble, says: “We still need a lot more.”
He adds: “We need different kinds of sites in the mix, not just the big ones, that includes smaller ones that are easier to bring forward.
“That is going to be a big challenge for the local plan, making sure we address these needs.”
He points to the large-scale housing development seen in the borough of Chorley over the last
decade, including Buckshaw Village and adds: “We’ve been meeting the housing need, it is those commercial and job-creating sites that will be a big ask moving forward.
“It is about getting the mix right. We need to get that mix to create sustainable communities that is the key aim for the local plan.”
Officers from the three authorities are working to progress towards a preferred options consultation this summer. The government has set a date of December 2023 to get a new local plan in place.
The central
Lancashire Local Plan is a good example of collaboration, joining things up
Jonathan says: “We’re basically asking key questions now. How do people want to see the area move forward, where do we need housing and what is the right type of housing and employment land? Equally, which areas do we want to be protected from development as well?”
The answer to that final question will be awaited eagerly by people living in communities across central Lancashire, many who feel they are under siege from housing developers.
A major planning inquiry opened in April looking at a series of proposed housing schemes which would create hundreds of new homes on sites including a number around the village of Goosnargh, north east of Preston.
In the same month the developer behind plans to build 1,100 homes in South Ribble revealed it
was reviewing the project and working to submit a new application, after formally withdrawing its original plans.
The proposed development at Pickering’s Farm, near Penwortham, has attracted strong opposition locally. The applications were submitted to the council in January 2020, alongside a masterplan for the development of the 244-acre site between Penwortham and Lostock Hall. The site has been earmarked for up to 2,000 new homes.
Looking at the local plan’s progress, Jonathan says: “There are lots of conversations and discussions going on between the three areas, particularly around what the housing needs are in central Lancashire.”
Greater Manchester went through a similar joint planning process with its Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) – an ambitious project that came to a halt when Stockport councillors voted against the proposals.
What are the dangers of central Lancashire’s plan going the same way? Jonathan says all three councils have similar aspirations, pointing to their commitment to tackling the climate emergency.
He adds: “We have a track record of working together. We put together a strategic plan and the three areas have been continuing to work together since then. There is also a joint advisory committee. All that collaboration should stand us in good stead.”
John Chesworth, who chairs the Preston Partnership and the Preston Towns Fund board, believes it is vital the three local councils continue to work together to build a better economic future.
He says: “The central Lancashire Local Plan is a good example of collaboration, joining things up. That is so important.”
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