Lancashire
A proud county in the North West of England, from the Ribble Valley and Forest of Bowland to the Lancashire coast and the Fylde.
Planning Permission in Lancashire
Planning permission in Lancashire is obtained from one of twelve district or borough councils, or from the unitary authorities of Blackburn with Darwen or Blackpool. Lancashire County Council administers minerals and waste planning and has a strategic role in transport and infrastructure, but all residential planning decisions are made at district or borough level.
Ribble Valley Borough Council's planning pages provide access to its adopted Core Strategy Local Plan (2008-2028) and its development management policies. Policy DMG1 (General Considerations) and Policy DMH (Housing) are the primary policies for residential development. The council's Design Guide SPD sets out standards for residential design quality, including guidance on materials, massing, landscaping and sustainability. Self-builders in the Ribble Valley are strongly encouraged to engage the council's pre-application advice service before developing their design, given the sensitive landscapes of both the Bowland AONB fringe and the Ribble Valley floor.
Lancaster City Council's planning pages cover the city of Lancaster, the coastal town of Morecambe and the rural district to the north and east. The council's adopted Local Plan Part 1 (Strategic Policies and Land Allocations) and Local Plan Part 2 (Development Management Policies) form the primary planning framework. The council's heritage officers are closely involved in assessing applications in Lancaster's historic city centre, which contains a concentration of Georgian architecture of national importance, and in the setting of Lancaster Castle.
Community Infrastructure Levy is operated by several Lancashire district councils. Rates vary reflecting differences in land values across the county. The self-build CIL exemption is available from all charging authorities. Applicants should confirm the CIL position with the relevant district council before committing to a site, as some districts may rely on S106 obligations rather than CIL.
The Forest of Bowland AONB Management Plan is a material consideration for all planning applications within the AONB. The AONB Partnership provides advice to planning authorities and can be consulted at the pre-application stage. Applications within the AONB must include a landscape and visual impact assessment addressing the potential impact on the special qualities of the designated landscape.
Validation requirements across Lancashire's district councils follow a broadly consistent model. Standard requirements include a completed application form, location and site plans, a design and access statement, and the statutory fee. Additional site-specific requirements include heritage impact assessments for sites near listed buildings or in conservation areas, ecological surveys for sites in the AONB or near protected habitats, and flood risk assessments for sites in the floodplains of the Ribble, Lune, Wyre and their tributaries.
Ribble Valley Borough Council's planning pages provide access to its adopted Core Strategy Local Plan (2008-2028) and its development management policies. Policy DMG1 (General Considerations) and Policy DMH (Housing) are the primary policies for residential development. The council's Design Guide SPD sets out standards for residential design quality, including guidance on materials, massing, landscaping and sustainability. Self-builders in the Ribble Valley are strongly encouraged to engage the council's pre-application advice service before developing their design, given the sensitive landscapes of both the Bowland AONB fringe and the Ribble Valley floor.
Lancaster City Council's planning pages cover the city of Lancaster, the coastal town of Morecambe and the rural district to the north and east. The council's adopted Local Plan Part 1 (Strategic Policies and Land Allocations) and Local Plan Part 2 (Development Management Policies) form the primary planning framework. The council's heritage officers are closely involved in assessing applications in Lancaster's historic city centre, which contains a concentration of Georgian architecture of national importance, and in the setting of Lancaster Castle.
Community Infrastructure Levy is operated by several Lancashire district councils. Rates vary reflecting differences in land values across the county. The self-build CIL exemption is available from all charging authorities. Applicants should confirm the CIL position with the relevant district council before committing to a site, as some districts may rely on S106 obligations rather than CIL.
The Forest of Bowland AONB Management Plan is a material consideration for all planning applications within the AONB. The AONB Partnership provides advice to planning authorities and can be consulted at the pre-application stage. Applications within the AONB must include a landscape and visual impact assessment addressing the potential impact on the special qualities of the designated landscape.
Validation requirements across Lancashire's district councils follow a broadly consistent model. Standard requirements include a completed application form, location and site plans, a design and access statement, and the statutory fee. Additional site-specific requirements include heritage impact assessments for sites near listed buildings or in conservation areas, ecological surveys for sites in the AONB or near protected habitats, and flood risk assessments for sites in the floodplains of the Ribble, Lune, Wyre and their tributaries.
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