There are a number of other documents which have already been adopted by Council and supplement the Strategic Policies & Land Allocations DPD and reviewed Development Management DPD. These include the Arnside & Silverdale AONB DPD, Morecambe Area Action Plan DPD and the neighbourhood plans for Wennington and Wray-with-Botton.  More details are found below:

The Policies Map show the individual sites and broader areas that are allocated for development or designated for protection by the policies of the adopted Local Plan. Both a pdf version (with insets as pdfs also) of the Policies Map and an interactive digital version of the Policies Map are available below.  

Lancaster City Council adopted its Local Plan for 2011-2031 on 30 July 2020. The Council partially reviewed the plan (updated only some of the policies) to make sure that its planning policies took greater account of the challenges of climate change when making decisions on planning proposals. The updated plan – known as the "Local Plan (Climate Emergency Local Plan Review)" was adopted by the Council on 22 January 2025. The updated policies in the CELPR needed only a small number of changes to be made to the Policies Map from July 2020. These changes have been made on the Policies Map (however, please see below for a full explanation of how mapping is displayed) and it is now dated 22 January 2025.  The changes on the map relate to these updated policies only:

• Policy SC4 - Green and Blue Corridors
• Policy T2 – Cycling Network
• Policy DM33 – High Risk Urban Catchments (water management)

When preparing the partial review the Council explored making changes to the area identified on the Policies Map as being suitable for Wind Energy proposals (Policy DM53) but it did not proceed with making any changes.

The pdfs include all the changes made in January 2025 but when viewing the Interactive Policies Map please note this interactive map shows all 3 Adopted Policies maps comprising of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Policies Map (Adopted March 2019), district-wide Adopted Policies Map (Adopted July 2020) and the latest Climate Emergency Local Plan Review Policies Map (Adopted January 2025).  The policies of the Central Morecambe Area Action Plan DPD are also included in the policies map. 

Neighbourhood Plans, prepared by local communities, also have their own Policies Map, you may need to look at these also.  

Policies Map (pdf)

•  Policies Map_District Wide (pdf) (adopted 22 Janaury 2025)
  • Policies Map_Insert 1_Main Urban Areas (pdf) (adopted 22 Janaury 2025)
  • Policies Map_Insert 2, 3, 4 & 5 (Lancaster City Centre, Carnforth, Morecambe Town Centre and Junction 33) (pdf) (adopted 22 Janaury 2025)
  • Policies Map_Rural Villages (not yet updated following adoption of CELPR, view the 2025 interactivemap for changes)
    Policies Map_Sustainable Settlements (not yet updated following adoption of CELPR, view the 2025 interactivemap for changes)
• AONB Policies map (pdf) (adopted March 2019)
  • Inset map book (pdf) (adopted March 2019) 

• Interactive Policies Map (comprising of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Policies Map (Adopted March 2019), district-wide Adopted Policies Map (Adopted July 2020) and the latest Climate Emergency Local Plan Review Policies Map (Adopted January 2025).  The policies of the Central Morecambe Area Action Plan DPD are also included in the policies map).

The Council have answered a series of frequently asked questions in relation to the Local Plan, in terms of both how it has been prepared and what will happen next.  If you have any queries about them then please do not hesitate to contact the Planning and Housing Policy Team on 01524 582383 or planningpolicy@lancaster.gov.uk.

An evidence base is made up of an number of reports and studies in the development of a Local Plan. We continue to update the evidence.

This Interim Lancaster District Local Plan Timetable has been prepared in response to the direction of Matthew Pennycook, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, within his Written Ministerial Statement (WMS) “Building the homes we need” published on 12 December 2024. The Minister stated that he would write to all local planning authorities asking them to provide an updated plan-making timetable within 12 weeks. On 13 December 2024, Joanna Averley, the Chief Planner at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government stated that this meant by no later than 6 March 2025.

Lancaster City is preparing a new local plan and has been preparing that plan in accordance with a Local Development Scheme (plan timetable) that provides dates for the preparation “milestones” (such as the anticipated publication date of the draft Local Plan), however the government wishes local planning authorities to prepare plans in accordance with a proposed new system, although the details of this new system have not yet been announced. The new system will require local planning authorities to set out the dates for the preparation of their local plan within a fixed 30-month long time-period following a formal commencement date. The new timetable must provide the “milestone” dates and dates for “Gateway Assessments”. These new assessments involve a government appointed external assessor conducting a three-stage review of the emerging local plan prior to it being submitted to government.

This document is an Interim Lancaster District Local Plan Timetable; it has been submitted to government and published on the City Council’s website to satisfy the Government’s direction that a new timetable must be made available by 6th March 2025. The City Council’s Cabinet will formally consider the proposed timetable soon. It is hoped that Cabinet will have the benefit of the awaited details of the new system from Government to support that formal consideration. The Council’s Cabinet will confirm, or potentially amend the interim timetable below, prospectively on 15 April 2025. A formally approved version of the timetable will then appear on the City Council’s website.

Supplementary Planning Documents (click here to view)

The Council has prepared a suite of Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) to support and further explain the council’s aims for some of the planning policies in the adopted Local Plan. SPDs do not create new policy but do provide detail on policy interpretation which can help potential applicants preparing to submit planning proposals.  SPDs are prepared in accordance with national regulations. The regulations require the council to involve people in shaping SPDs including through public consultation. The weight given to an SPD in making planning decisions. More details below

Canal Quarter Supplementary Planning Document

The document presents a vision for the area, supported by a set of design and development principles, to guide future investment over the next 15-20 years. 

Employment and Skills SPD

This document supplements policy guidance provided in the Development Management DPD in relation to the application of Employment and Skills Plans within major new development. The purpose of Employment and Skills Plans is to encourage and support greater opportunities for training and upskilling of local people within the construction phases of new development.

Meeting Housing Need SPD

This document does not propose new policies, it explains how the policies in the Local Plan will be interpreted and provides guidance on the detail and criteria within policies. Not all policies are addressed in this SPD, as some aspects are self-explanatory and need no further guidance. The SPD must be read in conjunction with the specific housing policies and the relevant policies within the Local Plan as a whole. The SPD provides general guidance but is no substitute for site specific advice which can be obtained through the Councils pre-application advice procedure

Viability Protocol SPD

Policies in the Lancaster Local Plan require the provision of affordable housing and contributions to support infrastructure such as schools and open or recreational spaces. In some cases, developers seek to reduce the provision of affordable housing and contributions because they mean that development is not viable. The SPD sets out overarching principles for how the council will approach development viability, it provides guidance on the details that we will expect to be included in viability assessments and the councils approach to considering viability matters. 

Residential Conversions and Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD

This document provides guidance about how policy DM13 of the Development Management Development Plan Documents will be implemented and standards for the houses in multiple occupation

Shopfront and Advertisements SPD

This document supplements policy guidance provided in the Development Management DPD in relation to shopfronts and advertisements. The purpose of the SPD is to provide design guidance on the installation of new shopfronts and advertisements within the district particularly in sensitive locations (for example within conservation areas).

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

The digital Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how and when we will engage with the community and other key stakeholders when we prepare and revise Local Plan documents. It also explains how the community will be consulted on planning applications. This SCI provides a summary of how the council will provide pre-planning application advice. We publish all our planning policy consultations.

Detailed pre-application advice, in terms of the principles, process, service and the cost, can be found on our planning advice pages. The council’s pre-application advice service is subject to its own approval process. Keeping detailed pre-application advice separate from this SCI, allows the advice to be more readily updated.

Planning Advisory Notes & Practice Notes (click here to view)

The Council has prepared a suite of Planning Advisory Notes (PANs) which provide guidance on a range of planning topics. PANs provide guidance on procedure or design advice rather than policy interpretation, which is the role of Supplementary Planning Documents. PANs provide advice to potential applicants about the type of information needed to support planning applications, or provide explanation of the Council’s approach to assessing issues. PANs are not prepared in accordance with national legislation and are generally not subject to public consultation. They are not formal parts of the council’s Local Plan. They do not have “planning weight” in decision making. Applicants are advised to use the helpful guidance in PANs to help shape and inform their proposals but the PANs are not used to make decisions on planning applications.  More details below

PAN 01 - Waste Storage and Collection Guidance for Domestic and Commercial Developments Planning Advice Note

The direction of this advisory note is based on the policies contained within the review of the Development Management DPD, adopted 29 July 2020, (Policy DM29)  It will be a material consideration that developers should be conscious of that that will be generated from their development proposal and this note provides advice, guidance and information on how these issues can be appropriately addressed and management in both domestic and commercial development.

PAN02 - Encouraging the Growing of Food Within New Development Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance on how new residential development can maximise the opportunities for the growing of food, making use of not just the areas around the property but through innovative design.

PAN03 - Surface Water Drainage and Flood Risk Management and Watercourses Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance on the local application of both the sequential and exception tests in relation to flood risk and supplements national planning policy set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.

PAN04 - Open Space Provision in New Residential Development Planning Advisory Note

This PAN provides information and guidance on the expectations for open space from new residential development, this includes the provision of calculations for on-site areas of open space and off-site financial contributions. The PAN acts as an update to Appendix D of the Development Management Development Plan Document (DPD), to take account of the latest open space evidence base underpinning the emerging Local Plan for the Lancaster District.

PAN05 - Provision of Electric Charging Points for Vehicles in New Development Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance to potential applicants and developers for the provision of electric charging points in domestic and commercial development. (Note: this guidance will be updated through the preparation of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), more details to follow.

PAN07 - Self-build and Custom-build Housing Planning Advice Note

This advisory note has been updated to reflect the changes to policies following the adoption of the Local Plan, which includes the SPLADPD and the DMDPD. It provides detail and further clarification on the self-build and custom housebuilding process, how the Council will support the delivery of plots and sources of further information and advice.

PAN08 - Cycling and Walking Planning Advice Note

The Cycling and Walking Planning Advice Note supports and provides guidance on policy T2 of the Strategic Policies & Land Allocation Development Plan Document and sets out how future development at strategic sites should support and develop the existing network. The approach taken in identifying routes follows that advocated by the National Planning Policy Framework. The Planning Advice Note has been subject to public and stakeholder consultation.

PAN09 - Energy Efficiency in New Development Planning Advice Note 

Lancaster City Council declared a climate change emergency in January 2019 and set a target date of 2030 to make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon. The Council intends to lead by example in seeking to reduce carbon emissions in the District. The Council’s activities only contribute approximately 0.4% of the districts carbon emissions. It is therefore important that developers, residents and businesses also play their part.  This note provides guidance on how measures to reduce carbon emissions can be incorporated into new and existing homes and businesses. It also provides guidance on completing the Energy Statement required to be submitted with major development and how smaller developments can show how they aim to contribute to reducing carbon emissions.

PAN10 - Housing Standards Planning Advice Note

The Council has adopted the Nationally Described Space Standards (NDSS) and the optional Building Regulation Requirement M4(2): Category 2 - Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings, through policy DM2 of the Development Management Development Plan Document (DMDPD). It is therefore important developers, agents and applicants ensure new dwellings are designed to meet the standard prior to submission of an application. The Council has produced a Housing Standards Planning Advice Note which sets out how the standards will be applied.

PAN11 - Low Emissions and Air Quality Planning Advice Note

This note provides information and guidance on how new development is expected to mitigate impacts to air quality in designated Air Quality Management Areas (AQMAs). Its sets out guidance on the range of mitigation measures available. (Note: this guidance will be updated through the preparation of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) during the course of 2020)

PAN12 - Householder Design Guide Planning Advice Note

This note provides general information and guidance on the design of new residential development and can be applicable to all scales of development proposed, from small extensions to new build properties.

PAN13 - Good Lighting Planning Advice Note

The Good Lighting Planning Advice Note provides guidance to applicants proposing development within the Arnside and Silverdale AONB on issues and considerations relating to light pollution. The document, prepared as a Technical Advice Note, was developed by Dark Source Lighting Design Studio and Friends of the Lake District and is intended to support well designed proposals that minimise the effect of light on the night sky in Cumbria and within the whole of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB. Its inclusion of the AONB reflects the approach taken in the Arnside and Silverdale AONB Development Plan Document (DPD) which was jointly prepared and adopted by Lancaster City Council and South Lakeland District Council in 2019. The purpose of the DPD is to ensure consistency in the decision making process across the two authorities. Lancaster City Council has published the Technical Advice Note as a Planning Advice Note. Applicants are strongly encouraged to take account of the advice when designing proposals that might illuminate the external environment.

PAN14 - Traditional Sash Windows Planning Advice Note

The Traditional Sash Windows Planning Advice Note explains when consent is required for window replacement and what styles of windows may be appropriate to conservation areas and listed buildings.

Biodiversity Net Gain Advice 

The Biodiversity Net Gain Advice explains what you need to know about BNG to help you complete a planning application.

PN01 - Affordable Housing Practice Note

The adopted Meeting Housing Need Supplementary Planning Document (9 Febraury 2022) supersedes the PN01 - Affordable Housing Practice Note and has now been removed from this page.

PN02 - Preparation of Comprehensive Masterplans for Strategic Residential Sites Procedural Practice Note

This Procedural Practice Note (PPN) provides guidance on the preparation of comprehensive masterplans for strategic residential-led development sites as identified in the Strategic Policies and Land Allocations DPD and for a number of smaller sites.

PN03 – Arnside and Silverdale AONB Small Housing Sites

The purpose of this Practice Note is to provide guidance and clarification to landowners and developers on the Council’s planning policy position in relation to small housing proposals within the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Brownfield land registers provide information on sites that local authorities consider appropriate for residential development. They were introduced by the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and the Town and Country Planning (Brownfield Land Register) Regulations 2017. Registers are in two parts. Part 1 comprises of all brownfield sites appropriate for residential development. Part 2 includes sites which have been granted permission in principle. The Council has not included any sites on Part 2 at present, but is considering options. If it is decided to proceed with granting permission in principle, consultation will be carried out before a site is entered into Part 2 of the register.

With regard to the delivery of new housing at both the East and North Lancaster Strategic Sites, the Local Plan places a requirement on the developers / landowners to produce a concept masterplan which sets out how development in this area could come forward over the coming years. Whilst the concept masterplan does not in itself have any planning status it has been prepared in the context of the wider Local Plan policy requirements for the site and has been subject to engagement with stakeholders and provides an important starting point in terms of understanding how development could be achieved in these areas. 

• North Lancaster Strategic Site Concept Masterplan 
• East Lancaster Strategic Site Concept Masterplan – to be prepared.

The district has a history of being a popular location for Gypsy and Travellers to make their home. It contains approximately 19 private sites, mostly in Heysham Central and Westgate wards, and 19 pitches on Mellishaw Park, which the council manages. Mellishaw Park has recently been redeveloped.

A Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) was completed in September 2017. It highlighted that:

• There were approximately 112 households with a White: Gypsy or Irish Traveller ethnicity in the district
• There were 82 pitches across the district, of which 57 are occupied by Gypsy and Traveller households, 12 pitches were vacant and 8 were unoccupied on family sites, with a further five occupied by non-Gypsy and Traveller households
• The study found evidence of Gypsy and Traveller pitch need over the next five years (2017/18 to 2021/22) equating to 11 pitches under a cultural definition, or four pitches under the PPTS 2015 definition of Gypsy/Traveller
• There is no current or expected future need for Travelling Showpeople plots in the district
• There is no expected need for transit pitches within the district

Since the assessment was completed, planning permissions for 1 temporary site with 1 pitch and 3 permanent sites with 6 additional pitches have been granted.

Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment including Boat Dweller Assessment Update

As part of evidence base work for the new Local Plan, the Council will consider the need for additional sites and pitches and will explore opportunities for new and expanded sites. To do this the Council has commissioned a new Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople Accommodation Assessment. Potential sites can be suggested during the interviews with communities which will start later this year and run into next year or during one of our call for sites.

Proposals could be for either new sites or an expansion or intensification of an existing site. Proposals are invited for permanent residential sites or transit sites / temporary stopping places.

Information about the new Local Plan can be found on our Local Plan Hub.  To be kept up to date about the progress of the new Local Plan and to be notified when call for sites are open, please join our mailing list.

Lancaster district has over 1,300 listed buildings, 38 conservation areas and 38 scheduled monuments. Lancaster City Council has a responsibility for the identification, protection and enhancement of these assets. View the Conservation webpages for more details.

We value our district wide tree cover and recognise the immense potential for human and environmental benefits associated with a healthy and sustainable tree population.  View the Tree webpages for more details.

Our Homes Strategy sets out how we can support those in housing need over the next five years.  View the Housing Strategy webpages.

Lancaster City Council recognises the need for affordable housing in the district and it is therefore a key council priority. The provision of more affordable homes can help to increase the range of housing options, help to meet increasing demand as a result of recent welfare scheme changes and help the council to meet its required housing responsibilities.

Policies DM3 and DM6 of the Lancaster District Local Plan and Policy AS03 of the Arnside and Silverdale AONB DPD set out the requirements for the delivery of affordable homes within housing schemes. Policy DM3 refers to two categories of affordable homes, intermediate housing and social/affordable rented housing. The policy requires up to 50% of affordable homes to be delivered as intermediate housing and a minimum of 50% as either affordable or social rented housing. The Government has introduced a new form of intermediate housing – ‘First Homes’ and expects at least 25% of affordable homes delivered on developer led site to be delivered as this tenure.

The tenure split required will therefore be:

• 25% intermediate tenure, preferably shared ownership;
• 25% first homes;
• 50% affordable rent or social rent.

Click here for more details on Developing Afordable Housing

Planning Policy

Policy DM13 of the adopted Lancaster Local Plan Development Management DPD, seeks to restrict the concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to a maximum of 10% in any 100m radius. The policy will manage the concentration of all new HMOs, including new build HMOs, the conversion of non-residential properties to HMOs and the change of use of dwellings (Class C3) to HMOs.  To help applicants and agent understand how the policy will be implemented Lancaster City Council has adopted a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). This document explains how the policy will be implemented, the calculation used to determine the number of HMOs and includes standards for new HMOs 

HMO Density Map by Post Code

The Council has produced a data base of HMOs using Student Council Tax Exemptions and Licensing information which will be used to calculate the density of HMOs. As much of the data is derived from Council Tax data, for data protection reasons, individual HMOs will not be identified on the website. To help agents and applicants assess the density in an area, a map showing the density by post code is available. While this will not show the density for a particular 100m radius it will provide a guide to the density in particular areas.  The HMO Density Map by Postcode can viewed here.  If you intend to submit a planning application and wish to know the percentage of HMOs in the 100m radius around a specific property, please use the Pre-Application Service here. 

Licensing

A licence is required for HMOs where both of the following apply:

• At least five tenants live there, forming more than one household
• Toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities are shared with other tenant

Further information can be found here.  A licence is a separate regime to planning permission. Both planning permission and a licence is required for properties which meet the above criteria. Planning permission is required for HMOs with 3 or more tenants.

Article 4 to Control Small HMOs

The Article 4 Direction came into force on 10^th November 2021. Planning permission is now required to change the use of a dwellinghouse (Class C3) to a small HMO (Class C4) (3-6 occupants). Larger HMOs and the conversion of other buildings to HMOs already require planning permission.  More details here.  

If you would like advice on whether you are likely to receive planning permission please use our pre-application service. Further information can be found here.

Control of ‘To Let’ Signs

The Secretary of State has approved Lancaster City Councils proposal for a Regulation 7: Direction Restricting Deemed Consent to control the display of ‘To Let’ Signs in Lancaster. The controls will come into force on 1 September 2021. This means that from 1 September 2021, ‘To Let’ signs cannot be displayed on residential properties in the wards of Bulk, Castle, John O’Gaunt, Marsh, Scotforth East and Scotforth West. More details here..

Self-build or custom-build is simply the process of designing, planning and building your own home. There are several routes to building your own home and the level of involvement you have can vary greatly depending which way you choose. Some people wish to manage the design and construction process and do the building and labouring work themselves while others commission a contractor to do it for them.  Projects range from individual homes on single plots to group projects on larger sites. 

View more about Community Rights to Bid, Challenge and Build here...

We have a Statutory Duty with regards to biodiversity and is required under the Environment Act 2021 to publish a Biodiversity Report, setting out what it has done and plans to do to conserve and enhance biodiversity across the District and how that will be monitored. The First Consideration Report (approved 4 June 2024) sets out our current position and steps we intend to take to fulfil this duty.

More details here...

Email: planningpolicy@lancaster.gov.uk

Phone: 01524 582383