An update on ‘The Local Plan’
Early in 2020 SLDC announced its review of the Local Plan to ensure that all its planning policies are up-to-date and continue to meet the development needs of our area to 2040.
The Local Plan allocates sites for housing and other developments, such as new employment sites. It also contains the policies used to decide whether to grant planning permissions for new development including affordable housing, as well as policies for improving biodiversity, reducing flood risk, and improving local infrastructure such as roads and cycleways.
Residents may be aware that under current plans for local government re-organisation Cumbria is to have two unitary authorities, one of which will amalgamate Barrow Borough Council, Eden and South Lakeland District Councils. SLDC is putting in place its review of the Local Plan at this stage to ensure a seamless transition for the area when the new authority is launched.
Under the current Plan, development sites were identified for Levens leading to the new houses on Meadow Wood. Last August the Parish Council was invited to make representations to be taken into account in the review of the current Plan. It expressed concerns about any further large scale housing developments in the village due mainly to inadequate infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage and traffic.
This response may be viewed on SLDCs website (details below). The Review is currently in its Issues and Options phase which is a consultation open to all running to the 29 October 2021. As part of this consultation, the Parish Council has recently reaffirmed its earlier response (PC Meeting, 14 September 2021).
Residents with an interest in the revision of the Local Plan are encouraged to visit the SLDC website where a considerable amount of information is available and where consultation responses may be lodged.
As part of the South Lakeland Local Plan Review Issues and Options consultation, SLDC are holding a number of ‘drop-in’ conversations across the District. These are being held at the following locations from 3pm to 7pm:
- Tuesday 12 October: Kirkby Lonsdale Lunesdale Hall
- Friday 15 October: Milnthorpe M: Hub
- Monday 18 October: Kendal Town Hall (Town Council Chamber)
- Wednesday 20 October: Ulverston Coronation Hall
- Friday 22 October: Grange-over-Sands Victoria Hall
Planning Officers will be on hand to listen to and discuss any views in response to the consultation.
These are open public consultation events and Covid secure measures will be in place. These will include a requirement to wear face masks and observe social distancing inside the venues. Hand sanitisers will be available and windows and doors will be opened to ensure good ventilation.
At busy times numbers allowed inside the venues at any one time may be limited to ensure the comfort of everyone attending.