‘People, Homes and Jobs’ Local Plan Consultation 2015

1. ‘People, Homes and Jobs’ Local Plan Consultation 2015 PPCLG 27 January 2016

2. Background • 9,500 jobs and 13,000-14,000 new homes over the next 20 years (2011 to 2031) • SHLAA identifies sites for around 7,000-8,000 new homes • Need additional land for between 5,000 and 6,000 new homes

3. What the council consulted on? • Three Element Hybrid Approach • Proposed Overall Urban Focussed Strategy Suggested sites: • Three Alternative Urban Extensions • A Green Belt Review • Village Expansion

4. How the council consulted? • 3 months - September to November 2015 Stakeholders • Business presentation – 16 Sept • Housing developer forum – 29 Sept • Members briefing and drop in exhibition – 29/30 Sept • Sustainability appraisal workshop – 1 Oct • Six parish/city council discussion events – 6 to 14 Oct Public • 6 week public consultation period – 19 Oct to 30 Nov • Six public drop in events – 20 to 29 Oct • Online/paper form, email or letters • Young people’s event – 25 Nov • Other meetings eg councillors, resident groups

5. Consultation Responses Officers spoke to over 900 people at the six drop in consultation events Overall, 957 responsesreceived including: 225 paper and online consultation response forms 375 letters - 262 of these were a pre-prepared letter in relation to GB4 Slyne with Hest 357 emails from 263 people - some people sent multiple emails, mainly in relation to Dolphinholme

6. Consultation Summary • Similar to the 2014 consultation • More recognition for the need for housing and employment, although majority still have doubts about figures • Misunderstandings and misconceptions • Majority of people disagreed with the proposed overall strategy • Some support for the strategy in terms of a hybrid approach, particularly an urban extension approach.   • Overall, support for some of the sites but majority objected to the potential sites or suggested that other sites were more suitable. • Very few new advantages and disadvantages were suggested for the potential sites, although many emphasised and expanded on those already identified.

7. Urban Extension • Feedback reflected the 2014 consultation and suggested that UE1 was a preferred option • Fewer objections were received about the urban extension sites and there was acknowledgement of the existing and potential infrastructure and employment opportunities • Concern for Galgate, in terms of traffic and merging with Lancaster. • Some support for U2 and UE3, however, more concerns were raised for these than UE1. • Some suggested that these were not ‘urban extensions’ • Denny Beck residents were particularly concerned about UE2. • Interestingly, when some respondents highlighted their lack of support for the urban extension options, they suggested that they were better than proposed Green Belt sites.

8. Green Belt Sites • Majority objected to the potential Green Belt sites • Green Belt should only be considered once all other options had been exhausted • Some did suggest that some of the sites were more suitable than others ie GB1 provides an opportunity to link to the new M6 link road. • Some suggested partial development of potential sites, if necessary. • Feedback suggests that development in the Carnforth • area would be welcomed, although there were objections to the potential GB3 site. • As expected, house builders welcomed the review of the Green Belt.

9. Village Expansion Majority objected to the potential sites in Dolphinholme Mainly due to the scale suggested rather than development itself Some suggested that the proposed figure should be distributed across sustainable villages in the district House builders and agents also objected to this option, suggested that the required infrastructure made this undeliverable

10. Young People Event Feedback Over half planned to move away Majority didn’t think that there were job opportunities in the area for a career of their choice Half didn’t think that there were enough work experience opportunities with local companies Only a quarter thought that there were enough homes in the area so that they could live in a place of their choice Majority interested in a house rather than a flat or other type of housing Over half would like to own or rent own home in Lancaster, interestingly over a third opted for a rural village A balanced response to when they would like to own or rent their own home (majority next 3 to 5 years)

11. Overview of Key Issues • Contrary to National Planning Policy • Lack of infrastructure – road capacity and safety/traffic congestion, services eg schools, public transport, health care • Impact on village character and landscape • Risk of merging of towns and villages/need to maintain separation • Risk of urban sprawl and ribbon development • Scale of potential developments • Impact on environment, habitat and wildlife • Impact on community/quality of life • Impact on tourism • Loss of/need to protect agricultural/Green Field/Green Belt Land • Flooding/drainage/water quality issues • Impact on properties • Impact on historical/conservation areas • Need to locate close to centres of employment to avoid travel/congestion • Low scale development in all rural areas, rather than one • Need to phase and prioritise sites • Developing different types and high quality housing including affordable

12. Consultation Conclusions • Lack of confidence in housing and employment figures • Advantages, disadvantages and objections for all suggested sites • Exhaust all other options first • Key concerns raised have included: • Scale of the need for additional housing and employment opportunities to support the level of growth • Infrastructure provision • Rural and environmental impacts • If necessary, UE1 and GB1 seem to be the preferred sites

13. Sustainability Assessment and Planning Implications

14. What Next? • Outcomes will be used to prepare a draft Local Plan • Report for consultation approval in late 2016 • Full Council to consider options next week • Presentation improved and published on the council’s website • Green Belt review consultation will be reported to a future PPCLG

15. Thank you for listening Any further questions?