Resume Of Group Activities
1 Reviewing local planning applications
Most of the objections we raise are for applications for new dwellings on building sites in locations designated as “Countryside Area”, replacement or upgrade of countryside dwellings to large “mansions” and adverts in the countryside. There are four major planning applications in the pipeline which the Group is objecting to. Fylde Borough Council (FBC) continues to be consistent in refusing development in countryside areas outside settlement boundaries, to conform to the adopted Local Plan.
2 FBC Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) Environmental Enhancement Group
The District Group is represented on the above, which provides useful contact with other organisations including: Lytham St. Annes Civic Society, Ribble Coast & Wetlands Regional Park, Lancashire Wildlife Trust, Fylde Coast RSPB & the Environment Agency.
3 FBC Interim Housing Policy (IHP)
This policy was adopted in July 2008. During the consultation we expressed concern about this alteration of adopted planning policy outside the Local Development Framework (LDF) process. The interim policy essentially lifts the restrictions on housing numbers as a consequence of replacement of the Joint LSP by the North West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) which defines new increased housing requirements for FBC.
4 FBC Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
FBC commissioned consultants (Halletec) to undertake an SHLAA. At a stakeholders event CPRE was invited to be a member of the steering group, along with the Civic Society, the LSP Environmental Group (see above), two housing developers & a planning consultant. The main objective of the SHLAA is to meet Government Guidance (PPS3), to show that FBC has five years supply of housing land, but the guidance also advises identification of developable sites for years 6-10 & ideally, years 11-15. At the stakeholders event, FBC described the SHLAA as a “technical exercise to identify all possible housing sites in the Borough”, irrespective of:
• brownfield/previously developed/greenfield sites,
• current limits of development/settlement boundaries
• current designation, e.g. employment/industry, countryside area
• sustainability (it was acknowledged that “non-runners” would be ignored)
Some of the assessed sites will subsequently be selected/allocated in the LDF Core Strategy.
5 FBC Strategic Development Areas & LDF Core Strategy
FBC published a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment but this actually contains the first declaration of the Council’s choice of a number of “Strategic Development Areas” in the Borough. Many of these are large areas of greenfield countryside adjacent to towns & villages of rural Fylde, including Kirkham, Wesham, Warton, Wrea Green, Elswick, Newton & Weeton. In connection with the LDF Core Strategy, FBC has issued a list of “Proposed Development Sites”. These sites are the result of soliciting landowners & developers. The next stage of the FBC Core Strategy should be a public consultation.
6 Blackpool Council: Planning Application for Marton Moss
The Branch received a request for advice concerning a recent application to Blackpool Council & the Group assisted the Branch in making objections.
7 Blackpool Council: LDF Core Strategy & Growth Point
Blackpool Council had a public consultation on the LDF Core Strategy, Issues & Options. One of the Blackpool Settlement Options, Option 5: wider M55 hub growth point, proposes development of countryside to provide over 5000 dwellings in Blackpool & between 2000 & 3000 dwellings in Fylde Borough. These developments would be on greenfield land at Marton Moss, Mythop Road, Whyndyke Farm & Whitehill & School Roads. This option is clearly related to the Central Lancashire & Blackpool Growth Point proposal recently approved by the Government.
8 Local Press Publicity
• mention of CPRE objection to an application for mixed development housing on six acres at Whitehill Road, near M55, junction 4. This is in countryside area so it was refused by FBC.
• letter to the editor (of what?) published giving awareness of the proposed greenfield Strategic Development Areas & the Blackpool Core Strategy consultation.
9 Communications with our MP
Michael Jack always takes an interest in issues we bring to his attention,
recent topics include:
• Post Office closures in rural Fylde
• closure of the FBC Kirkham One Stop Shop, plus a threat to the co-located CAB serving rural Fylde
• Strategic Development Areas in Fylde Borough & Blackpool Council Core Strategy consultation.
February 2009
articles
The National Planning Policy Framework is the Coalition's response to streamlining National Planning Policy such as Planning Policy Statements (PPS), Planning Policy Guidance (PPG) and Circulars.
In October 2010 an event was held at the Merci centre in Manchester by North West Environment Link - 'Big Society and the Environment'.
Natural England has produced a document 'Nature Nearby - Accessible Natural Greenspace Guidance' that outlines its proposals on how to implement the ANGSt standard.
A Prospectus for Green Infrastructure - underpinning the sustainable development of Northwest England.