Last chance to have your say on Land Use in Cumbria : Cumbria County Council

Time is running out for local people to have their say on how land should be used in the county for years to come.

The consultation period for Cumbria and the Lake District Joint Structure Plan finishes on July 12th and Cumbria County Council and the Lake District National Park Authority, who produce the plan jointly, are keen for as many people as possible to get involved and give their views.

The Structure Plan guides changes in land use in the county, taking into account the economy, housing needs, transport and communications, and the environment, amongst other issues. The Deposit version of the Plan is available on the Internet for the first time, making it more accessible to people than ever before.

The plan contains a broad strategy, which focuses in on each individual area of the county and recognises that Cumbria is a diverse county with very distinct differences from north to south and east to west. The Structure Plan provides a framework for preparing more detailed Local Plans. Structure and Local Plans together help decide planning applications.

Councillor Lawson Short, County Council spokesman for the environment, said:

"Cumbria's Joint Structure Plan has a real effect on how land is used in the county. It sets out policies, for example, on how many houses should be built and how much land should be set aside for employment in each part of the county, recognising that Cumbria has very distinct areas within in. There are important issues, which I am sure many people have an interest in.

The Plan will affect everyone and we are very keen for people to accept ownership of it and get in touch with us. If we know what people think, whether they agree with what is in the plan or not, their comments can be taken into account."

Alan Fishwick, Chief Planning Officer (Temporary) for the Lake District National Park Authority, said:

"The Structure Plan policies are vital in making sure that the needs of local people are met and at the same time the special qualities of the Lake District National Park are fully protected. Over time development pressures generally, as well as local needs and expectations, change. It is essential therefore that our policies are reviewed and kept up to date and we need your views to do that."

Local people, groups and visitors to Cumbria have already had a chance to comment on what they thought were the main land use and development issues as a result of consultation from November 2001 to January 2002. This generated about 2000 comments on a wide range of subjects including windfarms, transport, housing, rural diversification, landscape and nature conservation and sustainable development. A substantial amount of the submissions, around 20%, were received electronically, highlighting the growing importance of technology in reaching people.

The Plan has been sent to all interested parties and is also available in libraries, on the web and by contacting Cumbria County Council on 01228 606758 and the Lake District National Park Authority on 01539792681. Any comments on the Plan can be sent to the above addresses or via the website but must be received by 12th July.