Westmorland and Furness Local Plan

We are preparing a new Local Plan for Westmorland and Furness.

A new Local Plan for Westmorland and Furness

We are starting work on a new Local Plan for Westmorland and Furness (excluding the National Parks). When this is adopted, it will replace all the existing Local Plans that were adopted by the former Councils.

The Local Plan will:

  • set out how much new development (e.g. homes and employment sites) is needed to support our communities
  • make sure new development is built in the right places and in a way which is best for people and the environment
  • allocate sites for new housing and other development
  • protect some areas and green spaces from development
  • include policies that are used to decide planning applications
  • plan for development relating to minerals and waste

We kicked off the process with an ‘early conversation’ with our communities and stakeholders over summer 2024. We’re at the very early stages of plan making and no decisions have been made. It is important that we get everyone involved to identify what kind of place we want to live and work in and how we want to see Westmorland and Furness change over the next 20 years. 

As part of the early conversation we also asked people to identify land or sites that are available to be developed for housing, employment, minerals or waste purposes.

Local Development Scheme (LDS)

We are required to prepare and maintain a Local Development Scheme which sets out a programme for the preparation of new planning policy documents. The main focus is the production of a new Local Plan for Westmorland and Furness, which will include minerals and waste policies.  

The LDS sets out the timetable for the production of the Local Plan, and includes details of other documents which form, or will form, part of the Development Plan for Westmorland and Furness, such as Neighbourhood Plans. 

This LDS will be kept under review and updated as Government guidance is provided, therefore dates for consultation periods are subject to change and will be updated. 

Westmorland and Furness Local Development Scheme 2025 (PDF 831KB)

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