Planning in South Ribble

Protection of Health, Education and Other Community Services and Facilities

Proposals and schemes, for all developments especially major sites for housing, employment or a range of uses should ensure appropriate health, cultural, recreational, sport and education facilities are provided either on site or in the surrounding area through CIL and/or developer contributions. Development proposing the change of use and/or loss of any premises and/or land currently/last used as a community facility (including community centres, village and church halls, places of worship, and public houses) will only be permitted where it can be demonstrated that: a) The use no longer serves the needs of the community in which it is located; or b) The use is no longer financially viable and it has been demonstrated through a marketing exercise or such process agreed with the Council.

Existing Built-Up Areas

Within the existing built-up areas, as defined on the Policies Map, proposals for the re-use of undeveloped and unused land and buildings, or for redevelopment, will be permitted provided that the development: a) Complies with the requirements for access, parking and services, as set out elsewhere in this Plan; b) Is in keeping with the character and appearance of the area; and c) Will not adversely affect the amenities of nearby residents.

Design Criteria for New Development

Planning permission will be granted for new development, including extensions and free standing structures, provided that, where relevant to the development: a) The proposal does not have a detrimental impact on the existing building, neighbouring buildings or on the street scene by virtue of its design, height, scale, orientation, plot density, massing, proximity, or use of materials. Furthermore, the development should not cause harm to neighbouring property by leading to undue overlooking, overshadowing or have an overbearing effect; b) The layout, design and landscaping of all elements of the proposal, including any internal roads, car parking, footpaths and open spaces, are of a high quality and will provide an interesting visual environment which respects the character of the site and local area; c) The development would not prejudice highway safety, pedestrian safety, the free flow of traffic, and would not reduce the number of on-site parking spaces to below the standards stated in Policy F1, unless there are other material considerations which justify the reduction such as proximity to a public car park. Furthermore, any new roads and/or pavements provided as part of the development should be to an adoptable standard; d) The proposal would sustain, conserve and where appropriate enhance the significance, appearance, character and setting of a heritage asset itself and the surrounding historic environment. Where a proposed development would lead to substantial harm or loss of significance of a designated heritage asset, planning permission will only be granted where it can be demonstrated that the substantial public benefits of the proposal outweigh the harm or loss to the asset; and e) The proposal would not have a detrimental impact on landscape features such as mature trees, hedgerows, ponds and watercourses. In some circumstances where, on balance, it is considered acceptable to remove one or more of these features, then mitigation measures to replace the feature/s will be required either on or off-site.

Commercial and Employment Site at South Rings Business Park, Bamber Bridge

Within the area defined on the Policies Map at South Rings Business Park, Bamber Bridge, new development, re-development or change of use will be permitted to provide the following uses only: Offices, non-food retail, employment, leisure, recreation and tourism facilities.

Commercial and Employment Site at Cuerden Way, Bamber Bridge

Within the area defined on the Policies Map at Cuerden Way, Bamber Bridge, new development, re-development or change of use will be permitted to provide for the following uses only: offices, food retail, employment, leisure, recreation and tourism facilities.

Cuerden Strategic Site

Planning permission will be granted for development of the Cuerden Strategic Site subject to the submission of: a) an agreed Masterplan for the comprehensive development of the site, to provide a strategic employment site, to include, employment, industrial and Green Infrastructure uses; b) a phasing and infrastructure delivery schedule; c) an agreed programme of implementation in accordance with the Masterplan and agreed design code. Alternative uses, such as retail, leisure and housing may be appropriate where it can be demonstrated that they help deliver employment uses on this strategic site. The scale of any alternative enabling development will be limited to that which is clearly demonstrated to be necessary to fund essential infrastructure and which will not prejudice the delivery and maintenance of the primary employment function of the site. Any proposed main town centre uses must satisfy the sequential and impact tests set out in the NPPF, relevant policies of the Core Strategy and this Local Plan.

BAE Systems, Samlesbury

a) The Strategic Site The Council continues to support the specialised activity at BAE Systems, Samlesbury, in line with the company's operations. The boundary of the Strategic Site is identified on the Policies Map. This includes both the BAE Core Area and the Enterprise Zone. b) The Enterprise Zone at Samlesbury The designation of the Enterprise Zone at Samlesbury will help create more businesses, jobs and attract international investment, with positive benefits across the wider economic area. It will help improve the local economy and also increase the contribution to national growth. The Council supports the delivery of the Enterprise Zone and has produced a Local Development Order – Part 11, to aid the delivery process. Subsequent Local Development Orders will be produced when necessary. An agreed Masterplan must also be produced as a key part of the overall delivery of the Enterprise Zone. c) Green Belt Boundary To enable the Enterprise Zone to be delivered at Samlesbury, the Green Belt boundary is amended as identified on a map in Appendix 2.

Allocation of Employment Land

Land is allocated as follows (as shown on the Policies Map) for the provision of new employment uses to meet the borough's employment land supply from 2010/11 to 2025/26 in line with Core Strategy Policies 9 and 10 and to ensure a range of local job opportunities: Table 5 – Allocation of Employment Land Policies Map Ref Site Name – New Employment Allocations Size (ha) d North of Lancashire Business Park, Farington 9.2 e West Paddock, Leyland 1.9 f Land adjacent to Leyland Business Park, Farington 2.1 g Farington Hall Estate, West of Lancashire Business Park, Farington 22.2 Total 35.4

Protection of Employment Areas and Sites

Land is protected for employment uses including business, general industrial or storage and distribution (Use Classes B1, B2 and B8) as shown on the Policies Map: a) in line with Core Strategy Policies 9 and 10 (Policy 10 does include a set criteria for the change of use to protected employment land if it was deemed appropriate within the Plan period) b) in line with the Controlling the Reuse of Employment Premises Supplementary Planning Document; and c) to support the local economy by ensuring there are jobs for local people and to attract commuters from outside the borough, at the following sites: Map Ref Site Name Size (ha) 1 Kellett Lane/Seed Lee Farm, Bamber Bridge 4.9 2 Sceptre Way, Bamber Bridge 3.0 3 Walton Summit Employment Area, Bamber Bridge 95.8 4 Club Street, Bamber Bridge 13.7 5 South of School Lane (previously A S Orr's Mill), Bamber Bridge 5.9 6 Dunbia, Bamber Bridge 9.3 7 North of School Lane (includes Whittle Movers), Bamber Bridge 4.4 8 Aston Moss, Leyland 13.4 9 Leyland Business Park, Farington 14.5 10 Lancashire Business Park, Farington 70.2 11 Moss Side Employment Area, Leyland 26.7 12 Heaton Street/Talbot Road Industrial Estate, Leyland 7.0 13 Braconash Road Industrial Estate, Leyland 3.4 14 Tomlinson Road Industrial Estate, Leyland 13.7 15 Centurion Way Estate, Farington 4.5 16 Carr Lane, Farington 6.0 17 Land adjacent to Lancashire Business Park, Farington 12.9 18 Matrix Park, Buckshaw Village, Leyland 28.7 19 Sherdley Road Industrial Estate, Lostock Hall 4.0 20 Factory Lane Estate, Penwortham 4.2 21 Land North of Capitol Centre, Walton-le-Dale 3.3 Total 349.5

Green Belt

The area covered by Green Belt is shown on the Policies Map. As set out in the NPPF, planning permission will not be given for the construction of new buildings unless there are very special circumstances. Exceptions to this are: a) buildings for agriculture and forestry; b) provision of appropriate facilities for outdoor sport, outdoor recreation and for cemeteries, as long as it preserves the openness of the Green Belt and does not conflict with the purposes of including land within it; c) the extension or alteration of a building provided that it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building; d) the replacement of a building, provided the new building is in the same use and not materially larger than the one it replaces; e) limited infilling in villages, and limited affordable housing for local community needs under policies set out in this Local Plan; or f) limited infilling or the partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed sites (brownfield land), whether redundant or in continuing use (excluding temporary buildings), which would not have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purpose of including land within it than the existing development. There are a number of major developed employment sites within the Green Belt. These sites can be developed within their curtilage. These major developed employment sites should continue to secure jobs and prosperity without further prejudicing the Green Belt. Such development is considered appropriate in the terms of the NPPF.

Green Infrastructure Provision in Residential Developments

All new residential development resulting in a net gain of five dwellings or more will be required to provide sufficient Green Infrastructure to meet the recreational needs of the development, in accordance with the standards set out below: Typology Provision Standard Parks and Gardens 0.66 ha per 1000 population Natural and Semi Natural 1.98 ha per 1000 population Amenity Greenspace 1.33 ha per 1000 population Children's and Young People's Provision 0.06 ha per 1000 population Allotments 0.08 ha per 1000 population Green Infrastructure will normally be provided on-site. Off-site provision will be at the Council's discretion delivered by developer contributions. These standards are to be both flexible and appropriate for each individual development, dependent on location, whether it is for on or off-site Green Infrastructure provision or enhancement of existing provision and facilities. Residential developments will normally be required to meet the needs for equipped children's play areas generated by the development on site, either as an integral part of design or through the payment of contributions which will be used to install or upgrade play facilities in the vicinity of the proposed development. The Open Space and Playing Pitch Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) offers guidance on Local Areas for Play (LAP) and Local Equipped Areas for Play (LEAP) provision in new developments.

Playing Pitch Provision

All new residential development resulting in a net gain of five dwellings or more will be required to provide playing pitches in South Ribble, at a standard provision of 1.14 ha per 1000 population. Contributions will also be sought to fund or improve associated facilities (eg changing rooms). These standards are to be both flexible and appropriate for each individual development, dependent on whether it is for on or off-site playing pitch provision or for the improvement of existing facilities.

Green Corridors/Green Wedges

Development will not be permitted in areas designated as green corridors (as shown on the Policies Map), which would prejudice their open character, visual amenity and purpose. Development may be permitted, in very exceptional circumstances, if it can be demonstrated that the proposal would have significant community and environmental benefits and measures can be provided to compensate for the loss of the area of green corridor within the locality. New development should provide new green corridors to the existing/neighbouring communities and built-up area. Green corridors can be in the form of linear areas of Green Infrastructure, such as footpaths and cycleways, with the appropriate landscaping features such as trees, hedges and woodland.

Trees, Woodlands and Development

a) Planning permission will not be permitted where the proposal adversely affects trees, woodlands and hedgerows which are: i Protected by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO); ii Ancient Woodlands including individual ancient and veteran trees and those defined in Natural England's inventory of ancient woodlands; iii In a Conservation Area; or iv Within a recognised Nature Conservation Site. b) There will be a presumption in favour of the retention and enhancement of existing tree, woodland and hedgerow cover on site; c) Where there is an unavoidable loss of trees on site, replacement trees will be required to be planted on site where appropriate at a rate of two new trees for each tree lost; d) Tree survey information should be submitted with all planning applications, where trees are present on site. The tree survey information should include protection, mitigation and management measures; e) Appropriate management measures will be required to be implemented to protect newly planted and existing trees, woodlands and/or hedgerows.

Unstable or Contaminated Land

There will be a presumption in favour of the redevelopment of previously developed land. Previously developed land can be unstable and subject to contamination. However, development will be encouraged on unstable or contaminated brownfield land subject to the following: a) Applicants will be required to provide evidence of a satisfactory site investigation and show that any proposed remedial works are adequate to deal with any identified hazards; b) Development should not have an adverse impact on the stability of surrounding areas; c) Applicants should address the physical capability of the land, the adverse effects of instability on the development, or of adjoining development on unstable land, and the effects on (amongst other things) local amenities and conservation interests of the development and any remedial measures.

Derelict Land Reclamation

Development will be encouraged on derelict land where the reclamation of land is required and appropriate. Schemes on derelict sites should: a) Provide employment and residential land in the urban areas thereby reducing pressure on greenfield sites; b) Maintain and improve the environment and include landscape enhancement measures.

Biodiversity and Nature Conservation

The borough's Biodiversity and Ecological Network resources will be protected, conserved and enhanced. The level of protection will be commensurate with the site's status and proposals will be assessed having regard to the site's importance and the contribution it makes to wider ecological networks: Regard will be had to: Protecting and safeguarding all designated sites of international, national, regional, county and local level importance including all Ramsar, Special Protection Areas, Special Areas of Conservation, national nature reserves, Sites of Special Scientific Interest and Biological Heritage Sites, Geological Heritage Sites, Local Nature Reserves, wildlife corridors together with any ecological network approved by the Council; Protecting, safeguarding and enhancing habitats for European, nationally and locally important species; When considering applications for planning permission, protecting, conserving and enhancing the borough's ecological network and providing links to the network from and/or through a proposed development site. In addition development should have regard to the provisions set out below: a) The need to minimise impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible by designing in wildlife and by ensuring that significant harm is avoided or, if unavoidable, is reduced or appropriately mitigated and/or, as a last resort, compensated; b) The need to promote the preservation, restoration and re-creation of priority habitats, ecological networks and the protection and recovery of priority species populations; c) Where there is reason to suspect that there may be protected habitats/species on or close to a proposed development site, planning applications must be accompanied by a survey undertaken by an appropriate qualified professional; d) Where the benefits for development in social or economic terms are considered to outweigh the impact on the natural environment, appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures and/or compensatory habitat creation of an equal or greater area will be required through planning conditions and/or planning obligations.

The Re-Use and Adaptation of Buildings in the Green Belt

The re-use of existing buildings within the Green Belt will be allowed provided that it meets the following criteria: a) The proposal does not have a materially greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt and the purposes of including land in it; b) The building is of permanent and substantial construction, of sufficient size and suitable for conversion to the proposed use without the need for additions or alterations which would harm its existing form or character; c) The proposed development would not result in an adverse impact in respect of noise, odours, emissions or traffic; and d) The building and site has access to a public highway available for use without creating traffic hazards and without involving significant road improvements which would have an undue environmental impact. All applications shall be accompanied by a detailed structural survey which considers both the condition of the existing structure and identifies the extent of any re-building work. Preference will be given to the re-use of buildings in line with specific local economic and social needs and opportunities in the area.

Safeguarded Land for Future Development

Within the borough, land remains safeguarded and not designated for any specific purpose within the Plan period at the following locations: S1 South of Factory Lane and east of the West Coast Main Line S2 Southern area of the Major Development Site at Pickering's Farm, Penwortham S3 South of Coote Lane, Chain House Lane, Farington S4 Land off Church Lane, Farington S5 Land off Emnie Lane, Leyland Existing uses will for the most part remain undisturbed during the Plan period or until the Plan is reviewed. Planning permission will not be granted for development which would prejudice potential longer term, comprehensive development of the land.

Protected Open Land

Protected Open Land is shown on the Policies Map. There is a presumption against inappropriate development on Protected Open Land. Planning permission will only be permitted where: a) It is required for the purposes of agriculture; or b) Uses are appropriate to a rural area; or c) It involves the re-use of existing buildings.

Areas of Separation

The three Areas of Separation are shown on the Policies Map as between: AS1 Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall; AS2 Walton-le-Dale and Penwortham – including part of Central Park, see Policy G6; AS3 Between Farington, Lostock Hall and Penwortham. The Council will protect this land from inappropriate development in line with Policy G1 and the NPPF. The Core Strategy identifies a proposed Central Park for South Ribble, between Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall and Walton-le-Dale and Penwortham. The Central Park boundary is incorporated within the boundaries of the areas of separation between Bamber Bridge and Lostock Hall; and Walton-le-Dale and Penwortham (the area of Central Park is allocated on the Policies Map and detailed in Policy G6).

Central Park

Central Park is defined on the Policies Map. The park lies to the north east of Lostock Hall and runs westward from the east of London Way towards the allocated residential site K. The Park allocation allows a natural break in the built environment between the areas of Lostock Hall, Walton-le-Dale to the North, Bamber Bridge to the east and Penwortham to the north west. Central Park will be delivered as a comprehensive parkland providing a range of recreational and leisure uses for the community. This will ensure the enhancement and protection of the existing Green Infrastructure in this area and aid the delivery of new Green Infrastructure provision within the Central Park boundary. Some appropriate development will be permitted in the park. This includes car parking, public amenities (such as toilet facilities), changing rooms and buildings for the purpose of recreational uses in the park.

Green Infrastructure – Existing Provision

Green Infrastructure is defined in the introduction to this chapter. Development proposals should seek to protect and enhance the existing Green Infrastructure. Development which would involve the loss of Green Infrastructure (as identified on the Policies Map) will not be permitted unless: a) Alternative provision of similar and/or better facilities for the community will be implemented on another site or within the locality; or b) It can be demonstrated that the retention of the site is not required to satisfy a recreational need in the local area; and c) The development would not detrimentally affect the amenity value and the nature conservation value of the site.

Green Infrastructure and Networks – Future Provision

All developments should provide: a) Appropriate landscape enhancements; b) Conservation of important environmental assets, natural resources, biodiversity and geodiversity; c) For the long-term use and management of these areas; and d) Access to well-designed cycleways, bridleways and footways (both off and on road), to help link local services and facilities.

Worden Park

The extension of Worden Park is directly linked to the development of the allocated housing site at Leyland Lane and Altcar Lane (site P). The Council will work with developers and relevant partners to ensure the delivery of the park's extension is in line with the delivery of the residential site (P). Development within the borough should also contribute either through CIL or measures delivered through a development to ensure that the extension, as well as the appropriate enhancements and maintenance of the park, is also delivered.

Village Development

Land on the periphery of Much Hoole, New Longton, Coupe Green and Mellor Brook is safeguarded to meet local needs as shown on the Policies Map. It will only be released during the Plan period for development (including local affordable housing, health care, community facilities or employment) which meets the following requirements: The proposed development cannot be accommodated within the existing built-up area of the village, or this site is preferable for the use proposed. Evidence of this will be required.

Pickering's Farm, Penwortham

Planning permission will only be granted for the development of the Pickering's Farm site subject to the submission of: a) an agreed Masterplan for the comprehensive development of the site. The Masterplan must include the wider area of the Pickering's Farm site which includes the safeguarded land which extends to Coote Lane as shown on the Policies Map, and make provision for a range of land uses to include residential, employment and commercial uses, Green Infrastructure and community facilities; b) a phasing and infrastructure delivery schedule; c) an agreed programme of implementation in accordance with the Masterplan and agreed design code.

Moss Side Test Track, Leyland

Planning permission will only be granted for the development of the Moss Side Test Track subject to the submission of: a) an agreed Masterplan for the comprehensive development of the site, to include residential, employment and commercial uses, Green Infrastructure and community facilities; b) a phasing and infrastructure delivery schedule; c) an agreed programme of implementation in accordance with the Masterplan and agreed design code.

Land between Heatherleigh and Moss Lane, Farington Moss

Planning permission will only be granted for the development of this site subject to the following: a) an agreed Masterplan for the comprehensive development of the site, to include the provision of residential development with scope for community and leisure facilities if required by the Council, within the plan period; b) a phasing and infrastructure delivery schedule; c) an agreed programme of implementation in accordance with the Masterplan and agreed design code.

Allocation of Housing Land

The sites listed below (and as shown on the Policies Map) are allocated for residential development (and related infrastructure which is to be delivered through CIL and/or developer contributions). The allocated housing land equates to a total of 6,576 dwellings over the Plan period.

Phasing, Delivery and Monitoring

Housing sites are phased through indicative timescales identified in Table 2, in order to: Meet the scale of development required over the Plan period and Ensure that the scale and timing of development is coordinated with the provision of new infrastructure that is required. Development will be encouraged on sites in the following phases: Phase 1: 2010/11 – 2015/16 Phase 2: 2016/17 – 2020/21 Phase 3: 2021/22 – 2025/26 Phases 1, 2 and 3 are shown in Table 2. Control Mechanism Annual monitoring of the delivery of housing will be undertaken. It will include a review of sites and phasing within Table 2 and aim to ensure that a five year supply of deliverable sites (including a 20% buffer if appropriate, and if performance improves, the Council will look at reducing the buffer to 5% as part of the monitoring process), is maintained in line with the predictions, sites may be brought forward from later phases and others put back. Any application for renewal of permission will be considered having regard to a demonstration of the deliverability of the scheme and the annual monitoring of housing site delivery.

Agricultural Workers' Dwellings in the Countryside

Outside the defined settlements and existing urban areas shown on the Policies Map, the erection of a new dwelling will only be permitted when accommodation is required to enable farm, forestry (or other rural employment) workers to live at, or in the immediate vicinity of, their place of work. a) New permanent dwellings will be allowed to support existing agricultural or forestry activities on well-established agricultural or forestry units provided that: i There is a clearly established functional need; ii The functional need relates to a full-time worker or one primarily employed in agriculture or rural employment activities; iii The unit and the agricultural or forestry activity concerned have been established for at least three years, have been profitable for at least one of them, are currently financially sound, and have a clear prospect of remaining so; iv The functional need could not be fulfilled by another dwelling on the unit or any other existing accommodation in the area which is suitable and available; and v The siting of the proposed dwelling is well-related to the existing farm buildings or its impact on the landscape could be minimised. b) If a new dwelling is essential to support a new farming or forestry activity on an established unit or on a new agricultural unit, an application should be made for temporary accommodation. The application should satisfy the following criteria: i There is clear evidence of a firm intention and ability to develop the new activity concerned; ii There is clear evidence that the new activity has been planned on a sound financial basis. c) Where existing dwellings are subject to conditions restricting occupancy, applications to remove such conditions will not be permitted unless it can be demonstrated that: i. the essential need which originally required the dwelling to be permitted no longer applies in relation to the farm unit and that the dwelling will not be required similarly in the longer term; and ii. reasonable attempts have been made to dispose of the dwelling for occupation in compliance with the original condition.

Developer Contributions

New development will be expected to contribute to mitigating its impact on infrastructure, services and the environment and to contribute to the requirements of the community. This may be secured as a planning obligation through a Section 106 agreement, where the development would otherwise be unacceptable and through the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) by way of a Charging Schedule. The types of infrastructure that developments may be required to provide contributions for include, but are not limited to: a) Utilities and waste (where the provision does not fall within the utility providers' legislative obligations); b) Flood prevention and sustainable drainage measures; c) Transport (highway, rail, bus and cycle/footpath/bridleway networks, canal and any associated facilities); d) Community infrastructure (such as health, education, libraries, public realm); e) Green infrastructure (such as outdoor sports facilities, open space, parks, allotments, play areas, enhancing and conserving biodiversity); f) Climate change and energy initiatives through allowable solutions; g) Affordable housing; and, h) Leyland Town Centre regeneration. Where appropriate, the Council will permit developers to provide the necessary infrastructure themselves as part of their development proposals, rather than making financial contributions.

The Capitol Centre, Walton-le-Dale

Within the area defined on the Policies Map at the Capitol Centre, Walton-le-Dale, but excluding the land at the Park and Ride facility, new development, re-development or change of use will be permitted to provide non-food retail, leisure, recreation and tourism facilities, provided that the development would not: a) Individually or together, with other recent or proposed development, harm the vitality and viability of any existing town or district centre; and b) Significantly reduce the range and variety of uses on the site. Conditions may be imposed to restrict the range of goods sold from retail outlets to prevent changes which could have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of existing centres. There is an existing food retail outlet on the Capitol Centre site. However the Council does not encourage further food retail outlets on this site.

Leyland Town Centre

The Leyland Town Centre boundary is defined in Appendix 3. Leyland Town Centre is made up of both Primary and Secondary Retail Frontages as set out below. Primary Retail Frontage Within the Primary Retail Frontage of Leyland Town Centre as identified in Appendix 3, planning permission will be granted for new buildings, redevelopment of existing sites, extensions to, or change of use of existing buildings for the following uses: a) A1 (Retail Uses) – which will be encouraged to achieve a minimum of 60% of the overall units within the Primary Retail Frontage; b) A3 (Café and Restaurant) uses and A4 (Drinking Establishments) uses – to enhance the evening economy; and c) Other town centre uses including A2 (Financial and Professional Services) and B1 (Offices) will be permitted where this would not harm the sustainability of the shopping area; d) Living accommodation or B1 (Office) use will be permitted at first floor level. Secondary Retail Frontage The remaining area of the defined town centre (sitting outside the Primary Retail Frontage) is classified as the Secondary Retail Frontage (as shown in Appendix 3 and as described in the Justification). Uses in these areas will be protected and enhanced wherever possible for A1 (Retail Use), A3 (Cafés and Restaurants) and A4 (Drinking establishments) may be appropriate to maintain the vitality and viability of the area. Car Parking New buildings, redevelopment of existing sites, extensions and/or change of use of existing buildings in the Town Centre will either be expected to use existing car parking facilities within the town centre (if they are in close proximity) or provide the appropriate level of car parking based on their location and type of development as set out in Policy F1 Parking Standards and Appendix 4.

District Centres

District Centres are allocated at: (a) Liverpool Road, Penwortham (b) Longton (c) Station Road, Bamber Bridge (d) Tardy Gate The District Centre boundaries are set out in Appendix 3 of this document. The District Centres will be protected and enhanced to maintain their vitality and viability. Planning permission will be granted for new buildings, redevelopment of existing sites, extensions to, or change of use of existing buildings for the following uses: (a) A1 (Retail Uses) - which will be encouraged to achieve a minimum of 60% of the overall units; (b) A3 (Cafés and Restaurants) uses. Applications for other district centre uses including A2 (Financial and Professional Services), A4 (Drinking Establishments) and B1 (Offices) will be permitted where this would not harm the sustainability of the shopping area.

Local Centres

Local Centres are allocated at: Earnshaw Bridge Farington Gregson Lane Higher Walton Kingsfold New Longton Seven Stars Walmer Bridge Walton-le-Dale The boundaries of these centres are shown in Appendix 3 and described within the justification text. Within the Local Centres A1 (Retail) uses will be protected and enhanced wherever possible in order to achieve a minimum of 60%. This is to maintain the vitality and viability of the centre. Applications for other local centre uses including A2 (Financial and Professional Services), A3 (Cafés and Restaurants) and A4 (Drinking Establishments), and B1 (Offices) may be appropriate where it does not undermine the sustainability of the shopping area.

Cross Borough Link Road (Development Link Road)

Land will be protected from physical development for the delivery of the Cross Borough Link Road. The Cross Borough Link Road comprises: a) A road to be constructed from Carrwood Road to The Cawsey, as shown on the Policies Map. b) A road to be constructed through the major development site at Pickering's Farm as shown diagrammatically on the Policies Map.

The Completion of the Penwortham Bypass

Land will be protected from physical development for the completion of the Penwortham Bypass, as shown on the Policies Map. Land is also reserved for improvements to the existing bypass.

Parking Standards

All development proposals will be required to provide car parking and servicing space in accordance with the parking standards adopted by the Council (see Appendix 4). In general, parking requirements will be kept to the standards as set out unless there are significant road safety or traffic management implications related to the development of the site. The parking standards should be seen as a guide for developers and any variation from these standards should be supported by local evidence in the form of a transport statement. Where appropriate, some flexibility will be factored into the standards in relation to the specific local circumstances.