A new year, a new approach

LANCASTER City Council has launched a public consultation to help prepare a new action plan for central Morecambe.

The 'Capture Consultation' seeks to find out what people think of central Morecambe today and kick start a number of opportunities to get involved with the development of an Area Action Plan.

Area Action Plans are used by local planning authorities to establish a framework for the development, conservation and change needed to secure lasting regeneration gains.

Central Morecambe has been identified as a priority area for regeneration (Lancaster District Core Strategy, July 2008) and in recognition of this the council is prioritising the preparation of an Area Action Plan to map the future of central Morecambe.

Preparation of the MAAP is anticipated to take two years, with formal adoption in 2012. Along the way, there will be considerable opportunities for people to have their say.

Councillor Eileen Blamire, chair of the council's Planning Policy Cabinet Liaison Group, said: 'The preparation of the Morecambe Area Action Plan presents a real opportunity to guide the future of the town and I urge residents, visitors and those with commercial interests to play their part.'

During January, council officers will be visiting various locations to ask people for their on-the-spot comments. There are also a number of other ways for the public to express their views and have their say, depending on how and to what degree they wish to get involved.

Three Words: Summarise central Morecambe in three words.

Three Questions: Three quick, simple questions to answer:

1. What do you like about Morecambe?
2. What do you dislike about it?
3. What needs to be improved?

For those that can spare a bit more time, there is also a questionnaire available or people can submit a drawing or photograph that they think best captures Morecambe, explaining why.

Responses can be submitted in a number of ways:

Email: morecambeaap@lancaster.gov.uk  

Write to: Morecambe Area Action Plan, Lancaster City Council, Lancaster Town Hall, PO Box 4, LA1 1PJ.

There are also a number of ways for people to keep in touch with the latest information:

Web: www.lancaster.gov.uk/morecambeaap

Facebook: www.facebook.com  – search for ‘Morecambe Area Action Plan’.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/LancasterCC

The Capture Consultation closes on Friday February 19 2010.

Date Updated: 12/01/10