The county council is fighting to make sure Cumbria's voice is heard in the debate about regional planning guidelines that will set the framework for decisions about housing, employment, leisure and renewable energy until 2021.
Cumbria County Council argued strongly that the North West's Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) must put more emphasis on Cumbria's economic and housing needs and not overburden the area with demand for sustainable energy from windfarms.
The county council and other organisations such as district councils and the Cumbria Strategic Partnership have lobbied on issues affecting Cumbria at the RSS examination in public (EiP) appointed by government ministers between October 2006 and February 2007.
The EiP panel agreed with many points raised by the county council, including that:
. House building targets need to be increased from the county's current target of 1,170 a year to 1,796 a year for 18 years in order to reflect affordable housing needs in the county.
. The RSS should give more consideration to the particular economic and social needs of Cumbria as a largely rural area.
. The RSS should reintroduce Regeneration Priority Areas to help boost the economy of West Cumbria and Barrow in particular.
The panel, however, did not agree with the county council that high renewable energy targets, including the construction of windfarms, should be lowered to reflect local environmental constraints.
The Government Office North West will now consider which, if any, of the EiP panel's recommendations to adopt in their proposed RSS changes due to be published for consultation in the autumn.
Ian Stewart, cabinet member for transport, planning and the environment, said: "These things can seem very dry and procedural at this stage, but make no mistake - the Regional Spatial Strategy is a tremendously important document for Cumbria. When it is finalised it will be the framework against which all planning decisions affecting our housing, our economy and our landscape are made so it is crucial that this document recognises Cumbria's needs.
"We have worked hard to get the county's voice heard and the Examination in Public panel has been persuaded by many of our arguments on the key issues. Now we will wait to see if the Government Office North West takes them on board as well. We hope they do and that the new draft of the RSS better reflects our county's needs - if it does not we will continue lobbying to make sure Cumbria's voice is heard."
When finalised, the Regional Spatial Strategy will replace the Regional Planning Guidance (RPG13) which sets the framework for the physical development of the region. It will also replace many of the planning policies in the Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan 2001 - 2016. The RSS will inform planning policies in district council Local Development Frameworks and affect the decisions of all planning authorities in the region.
The county council cabinet report on the EiP panel's responses to Cumbria's views is available at www.cumbria.gov.uk/councilmeetings/content/public/2941/392801232.pdf
The EiP's recommendations are contained in a 454 page report available at www.gos.gov.uk/gonw or www.northwesteip.co.uk
Ends
Media enquiries to Justin Hawkins, Media Officer on 01228 606334