[T]wo planning documents have moved closer to adoption following the submission of proposals to the secretary of state.
Plans for the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and for the whole of South Lakeland, outside the national parks, will now be ‘examined’ by an independent planning inspector.
South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has been working with Lancaster City Council on a dedicated plan that will guide any future development in the AONB and jointly submitted the proposal, which will form part of both councils’ local plans.
The Arnside and Silverdale AONB plan identifies sites for new housing and employment – to meet local need – and sets out planning policies to ensure development reflects the AONB designation.
SLDC has also submitted a Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (DPD) for South Lakeland, outside the national parks.
The document will provide detailed policies to be used when assessing planning applications and help manage and shape new development across the district.
Both proposals have undergone several stages of public consultation and will now be ‘examined’ over the next few months by government appointed planning inspector, Philip Lewis, who will determine if the plans meet certain requirements and standards.
If the documents are found to be ‘sound’, SLDC will adopt them as part of the district’s development plan.
In order to be ‘sound’ the documents must be positively prepared, based on credible evidence and consistent with national planning policies.
The Arnside and Silverdale AONB DPD and supporting information is available to view from www.southlakeland.gov.uk/aonb-dpd and www.lancaster.gov.uk.
Anyone that doesn’t have access to the websites, can view the AONB development plan and main supporting documents at any of the locations listed below, during normal opening hours:
- South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ
- Arnside and Silverdale AONB Offices, The Old Station Building, Arnside, LA9 0HG
- Morecambe Town Hall, Marine Road East, Morecambe, LA4 5AF
- Libraries in Arnside, Silverdale, Carnforth, Kendal and Milnthorpe
The Development Management Policies DPD and main supporting documents can be viewed at www.southlakeland.gov.uk/dm-dpd. Or alternatively at any of the locations listed below, during normal opening hours:
- South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ
- District Council Offices, Coronation Hall, County Square, Ulverston, LA12 7LZ
- Libraries in Kendal, Ulverston, Kirkby Lonsdale, Milnthorpe, Grange and Arnside
The examination process started from the date of submission (28 February) and ends when the appointed independent inspector issues their planning inspector report.
Part of the examination process will involve hearing sessions where those invited to attend will have the opportunity to respond to matters raised by the appointed planning inspector.
Hearings are an opportunity for the planning inspector to seek clarification or additional information on any issues relating to the ‘soundness’ of the DPDs.
Once confirmed, information on the examination process – including details of the hearing sessions – will be made available online and sent to all relevant parties.
The programme officer for the joint examination of the DPDs is Kerry Trueman, who is independent of the council and works for the planning inspector.
Miss Trueman will assist the planning inspector throughout the assessment process, which will include liaising between all examination participants and the planning inspector.
For all examination matters relating to the Arnside and Silverdale AONB DPD or the Development Management Policies DPD, the programme officer should be contacted by email: [email protected] or via telephone on 01539 793560.
For general planning policy matters please contact SLDC’s development plans team at: [email protected] or on 01539 793380.
