The Role of the Development Strategy
3.1 The development strategy provides the overall framework for the pattern of future development in the Borough. National policy requires that all plans should promote a sustainable pattern of development that seeks to: eet the development needs of their area; align growth, delivery, and infrastructure; improve the environment; mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects.
3.2 In seeking a sustainable pattern of development, the Council will need to prioritise locations where access can be provided to local facilities and jobs via walking, cycling (active travel), and public transport to promote healthy lifestyles.
3.3 It is also important to avoid locations constrained by biodiversity, green belt designation, flood risk, or important public open spaces. Locations must also be viable for developers and attractive for people to live and work. Ensuring the sustainability of the development strategy and Local Plan will be assessed through the Sustainability Appraisal.
3.4 Constraints are particularly important in Fylde. Development around Freckleton, Lytham, and areas adjoining the Borough boundary at Normoss and Poulton-le-Fylde are limited, preventing these areas from becoming major development focuses.
3.5 In the current Local Plan, there are four strategic locations for development, in which 90% of development is planned to be located. The four strategic locations in the existing Local Plan have resulted in a broad base of housing delivery over the period since the plan was brought forward. The spread of sites across the four locations has meant that there has not been any evidence of over-supply at a single location, which would constrain delivery: instead, the strategy has been effective in ensuring that delivery has been maintained. However, there remain strategic sites still to be delivered fully in each of the four strategic locations. Therefore, any development strategy going forward will need to take account of the existing committed/allocated sites at the four strategic locations in the existing Local Plan. The current commitments/ allocations are:
- Lytham and St. Annes 1,240 units out of 2,111 allocated
- Fylde-Blackpool Periphery 2,055 units (880 beyond plan period) out of 2,050 allocated
- Warton 392 units out of 1,305 allocated
- Kirkham and Wesham 363 units out of 1,364 allocated
3.6 With this in mind, this document concentrates options on those building on this existing approach. However, it invites alternative approaches to be put forward through the consultation.
Option 1: Retain the Existing Development Strategy with Updates: Four Strategic Locations at:
- St Annes (including Squires Gate);
- Whitehills and Whyndyke;
- Warton; and
- Kirkham and Wesham.
3.7 Option 1 would retain the existing development strategy and build upon it. 90% of additional housing development (over and above the amount already committed) would be located at the four strategic locations for development.
3.8 Option 1 allows for continued growth at each of the four locations, following on from existing and committed growth. The spread across four locations would mean that sufficient sites would be brought forward to ensure sufficient housing delivery, so that the housing delivery test is met. Development at four strategic locations should mean that there is reduced pressure for development at non-strategic locations.
3.9 No distinction is made in the existing development strategy as to the relative importance of the four strategic locations, and no benchmark would be set for the number of units at each; rather, sites would be selected on overall merit, whilst maintaining a reasonable balance to the strategy.
3.10 If the existing development strategy is to be carried forward, it will need to be adapted to reflect changes since it was first conceived. In particular:
- The strategic location that was identified as Lytham and St Annes may need to refer only to St Annes, reflecting the lack of any possible strategic contribution to development sites from Lytham, now all of the earlier sites have been built out.
- Consideration should be given to changing the identification of the strategic location Fylde-Blackpool Periphery to refer to places more clearly understood by the public. This could involve the Squires Gate area being included within the St Annes strategic location (in which parish it falls), and the strategic location being identified instead as Whitehills and Whyndyke, which forms a single continuous area either side of the M55.
3.11 The existing Infrastructure Delivery Plan would be updated in order to ensure that the homes on added sites are provided for. Views on any additional infrastructure that would be needed to support the strategy are welcomed.
Q8. Do you support Option 1? Please give any comments you wish to make on this option.
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Option 2: Variant on the Existing Development Strategy
3.12 Option 2 is to adopt a version of the existing development strategy with modifications. The Council is not specifying what these modifications might be, but could include, for instance:
- Allowing for non-strategic development close to the Borough boundary;
- The addition of a further strategic location adjoining the Borough boundary with Preston, to adjoin future development within Preston district;
- The addition of a further strategic location adjacent to the Borough boundary with Wyre at Poulton-le-Fylde;
- The removal or lessening in importance of one of the four strategic locations for development;
- The addition of a fifth strategic location at another location.
In whichever case, the broad pattern of development would be largely maintained, and existing sites with planning permission would still be built out.
3.13 A strategy of this type could broaden the range of locations available for locating strategic sites, which would encourage choice and competition between development sites and locations. By contrast removing one of the strategic locations would restrict the choice of sites and lead to a lower likelihood that the rate of housing completions would be maintained. Additional strategic locations would be likely to have fewer facilities and be less sustainable, and the Council would have to be convinced that any necessary infrastructure could be put in place before taking such an option.
3.14 Respondents are invited to set out how they feel a modified version of the existing development strategy could look. Views on what additional infrastructure would be needed to support the strategy are welcomed.
Q9. Do you support Option 2?
Q10. What variations would you make to the existing strategy, if you would take forward this option?
Q11. Please give any other comments you wish to make on this option
Map data from Open Street Map Open Database Licence https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
Option 3: Entirely New Development Strategy
3.15 Option 3 allows for the existing development strategy to be abandoned. Development could then be focused at any number of locations, which could be narrowly-defined or widely dispersed, and could include entirely new settlements. Sites with existing planning permission could continue to be built out accordingly. The Council does not make specific suggestions for what an entirely new strategy could look like but welcomes submitted ideas.
3.16 An entirely new strategy would require substantial supporting evidence to ensure suitable infrastructure can be provided for all sites. Strategies involving completely new settlements or expansion of places with few facilities are often harder to make sustainable. The Council would need reasonable certainty that infrastructure such as schools, highways, high-quality public transport, local shops, and other community facilities would be delivered.
Q12. Do you support Option 3?
Q13. What would your new development strategy be, if you support Option 3?
Q14. Where would new development be located under your suggestion for this option?
Q15. Please give any other comments you wish to make on this option.
Q16. Would you support Green Belt release to secure this option?
Map data from Open Street Map Open Database Licence https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright
