Council seeks views on future development for the borough

Residents in Chorley are being asked for their views on where future development should take place as a new local plan is drawn up for central Lancashire.

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The latest stage of the plan making process comes as the council condemns the continued top down approach from Government on house building, which it feels has led to too much pressure being put on local services and infrastructure.

The 10-week consultation, which starts on Monday 19 December, will ask people for their views on proposed sites for new homes, employment sites, infrastructure and green spaces with councillors urging residents to have their say.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of Chorley Council, said: "Where new development takes place is probably the number one issue for our residents and for too long we've had a perverse system forced on us by the Government meaning Chorley has had to develop more homes than pretty much anywhere else in the North West.

"This creates pressure on services, congestion on our roads, and over prescribed schools and healthcare.

"We're at the stage now where we need to have a new local development plan and it's an important opportunity for people to have their say, help us shape where development takes place and what open spaces are protected for the next 15 years."

Despite having one of the highest minimum homebuilding figures already - which they consistently hit - Chorley Council is one of the few local authorities to see its minimum requirement increase under the Government's formula over the last few years. 

The latest iteration of the local plan that will go out to consultation will see the number of homes Chorley needs to develop drop slightly but the council feels the Government needs to go further to ensure areas like Chorley aren't overburdened with housing.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Leader of Chorley Council said, "We have been consistently raising concerns to Government about the number of new homes being built in our borough and the impact on how this affects our daily lives and green spaces.

"Our role is to ensure that development, which helps to keep the borough a vibrant place, creates more jobs and provides homes for future generations, is done in planned way so that infrastructure can keep up.

"We have tried everything we can to put a stop to this, and have urged Government to see reason, but we have been blocked at every turn.

"While I am pleased to say that the preferred options allows us to meet the demand without putting any green belt land at risk, we shouldn't have to work to what we think is a ludicrous demand for house building."

"There was a ministerial announcement in the last week that now appears say that the Minister is agreeing with us, however he has not yet made the changes in law to enable us to set our own targets."

The current development plan comprising the Central Lancashire Core Strategy and the three Local Plans for Chorley, Preston and South Ribble needs to be replaced to meet national planning policy and guidance requirements.

Councillor Bradley continued, "I understand this is a hefty document and a complex programme, but it is so important that our local communities, along with those who invest in our boroughs, deliver our local services and visit, to have their say in how we shape the future of Chorley, Preston and South Ribble.

"I would urge you all to please take a look at the document and share your views and attend the drop-in sessions which will take place in your community in the new year."

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Community consultation drop in sessions