Climate Emergency Local Plan Review

Consultation on the schedule of Further Main Modifications

On 31 March 2022 the council submitted the Lancaster District Climate Emergency Review of the Local Plan 2020-2031 to the Secretary of State for independent examination, in line with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (2) - Regulation 22.

The two Development Plan Documents are:

• Part One: Climate Emergency Review of the Strategic Policies & Land Allocations DPD
• Part Two: Climate Emergency Review of the Development Management DPD

Following Examination hearing sessions for the above DPDs in October 2022, the Planning Inspector sent the City Council a Post Hearings Letter to advise, without prejudice to her final conclusions, that her initial view was that subject to Main Modifications, it is likely that the Plans would be found to be legally compliant and sound. The Council subsequently consulted on proposed Main Modifications between 15 June 2023 and 28 July 2023.

The Planning Inspector confirmed in her letter of 30^th January 2024 that a focussed further main modifications consultation should take place in respect of amendments to Main Modifications MM14 and MM25 which respectively address energy efficiency standards within Policy DM30A and wind energy within Policy DM53 within Part Two Climate Emergency review of the Development Management Development Plan Document.

The consultation’s main questions relate to whether the Local Plan Main Modifications comply with legal requirements and meet the tests of ‘soundness’. These are the key issues that the independent Inspector will consider when assessing consultation responses. Comments should focus on whether the further proposed Main Modifications comply with the legal requirements and can be considered ‘sound’.

At the close of the consultation, the representations made will be forwarded to the Planning Inspector for her consideration. Following a review of responses to the further proposed modifications, the Inspector will then issue her final report. Should the Inspector conclude that DPDs are legally compliant and sound then the Council can formally adopt the partially reviewed documents. The Main Modifications have been subject to Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulation Assessment.

Making a representation

Representations will only be accepted that refer to a proposed change shown in the schedule of Further Main Modifications to the Submission Draft Local Plan (31 March 2022), found to the right of this page.

You should not repeat or re-submit your previous representations, these have already been considered by the Inspector during the examination process.

Representations are invited to be made on the schedule of Further Main Modifications MM14 and MM25 which respectively address energy efficiency standards within Policy DM30A and wind energy within Policy DM53 within Part Two Climate Emergency review of the Development Management Development Plan Document for a period of six weeks. This period will commence on Friday 22 March 2024 and will conclude at 5pm on Friday 3 May 2024.

Before making a representation below, please read the 'Statement of Representation Procedure' document and the 'Guide to Making a Representation’ document, found to the right of this page.

REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD ONLY RELATE TO THE SCHEDULE OF FURTHER MAIN MODIFICTION MM14 and MM25 WITHIN PART TWO CLIMATE EMERGENCY REIVEW OF THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN DOCUMENT. THIS CONSULTATION IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPEAT OR RAISE FURTHER REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE PUBLISHED LOCAL PLAN OR TO SEEK FURTHER CHANGES TO THE LOCAL PLAN.

PLEASE NOTE: Late representations will not be accepted.

Keep up-to-date with overall progress of the Local Plan Examination.

Additional modifications

Alongside the consultation on the proposed Main Modifications, the Council has published an Additional Modification which it intends to make on adoption of the Development Plan Documents. This is outside the scope of the Main Modifications, and the Council invites comments on this.