On 30 July as many of us were in holiday mode, the Labour Government released their proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). This document guides how councils have to prepare their local plans. The changes for West Lancashire are significant.

Our housebuilding target would increase from 166 houses a year to 605 – a 264% increase and the tenth highest in the whole of England where direct comparisons are possible. Green belt release was always likely, but if these changes go ahead, it will be inevitable and farmland will be lost. The so-called ‘grey belt’ being talked about won’t prevent that. Open fields in agricultural use will be classed as grey belt land.

The construction industry were delighted with the document. Anna Relph, director at Turley said, “The proposed amendments to the NPPF are incredibly positive and set out a clear ambition to tackle the housing crisis through decisive action. From a northern perspective, they are pretty much everything the industry had been lobbying for and, in some cases, more.” It’s hardly a surprise that was a developers’ reaction when the proposals increase housebuilding targets significantly and very significantly weaken green belt protection.

Our West Lancashire is very concerned at these huge increases in housebuilding targets. We will be making strong representations in a consultation response. The consultation is detailed and technical, with 106 consultation questions, but some of our councillors are currently reviewing the document and we have a briefing planned with Borough Council planning officers.

If you would like to join the campaign against these plans to destroy our local countryside then contact us. Use the button below and ask to be added to the Local Plan email list. We will be sending a bulletin in early/mid September which will provide you with more detail and help you make your own response to the consultation.