Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Local Plan adopted

The borough’s Local Plan – which aims to deliver the homes, jobs, supporting infrastructure and community facilities the borough needs – has been formally adopted by the Council as the new Development Plan for the Borough.

The Plan was officially adopted in January following confirmation from the Independent Planning Inspectors that they deemed the Plan to be ‘sound’,

It provides a ‘blueprint for the future’ – including identifying sites for new homes and business developments up to 2037.

The Plan also sets out proposed plans for things like improvements to roads and schools as well as ways to consider climate change in all planning decisions.

All planning applications will now be determined against the new Local Plan (2021-2037), alongside relevant national policy and guidance.

As we are now in a climate emergency, in the Local Plan under Policy CP5: Climate Change, it aims to make sure that all new development considers this in its design.

The extent to which certain new developments have considered how to reduce carbon emissions, and adapting to climate change, will be considered as part of the assessment of each planning application. Applicants for major commercial and residential schemes will need to complete a new Climate Impact Framework assessment tool.

The Local Plan (2021-2037), and policies map, is published online at www.blackburn.gov.uk/localplan

Copies of the Local Plan documents are also available for inspection at:

• Blackburn Town Hall, King William Street, Blackburn, BB1 7DY

• Darwen Town Hall, Croft Street, Darwen, BB3 1BQ

• Blackburn Central Library, Town Hall Street, Blackburn, BB2 1AG

• Darwen Library, Knott Street, Darwen, BB3 3BU

• Mill Hill Library, New Chapel Street, Blackburn, BB2 4DT

• Cherry Tree Library, Cherry Tree Lane, Blackburn, BB2 5NX

• Roman Road Library, Fishmoor Drive, Blackburn, BB2 3UY

• The Barlow, 216 Bolton Road, Edgworth, BL7 0AP.