Newsbrief 98 21 February 2023 Update on South Lancaster Road Scheme and SLAAP complaint

Newsbrief 98 : 21st February 2023

Summary

1. Lancashire County Council Cabinet discussion of the South Lancaster to M6 Link Road Scheme on 2 February 2023 - Report of the meeting.

1. Planning Application at Newlands Road - flooding risk.

1. CLOUD complaint about the public consultation on Topic Papers for the Lancaster South Area Action Plan (LSAAP).

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1. Lancashire County Council Cabinet discussion of the South Lancaster to M6 Road Scheme: Link Road and Park and Ride Facility on 2 February 2023: Report of the meeting

In Newsbrief 97 we encouraged all CLOUD members to contact County Councillors ahead of the 2nd February Cabinet meeting with your concerns over:

1. the unexpected changes to the alignment of the Link Road and the planning maladministration in the way this was communicated to local residents.

2. the financial risks of the scheme, particularly with the present high rate of inflation.

3. the flood and contamination risks from run-off water from the Link Road.

4. and other issues.

We would like to thank all CLOUD members who submitted written objections. No fewer than 28 objections were received by the deadline set by County and more were arriving on the day of the meeting. Whether this number is a record isn’t clear, but it was certainly more than Cabinet are used to receiving and made quite an impact on the meeting - to what longer term effect remains to be seen. Click on this link for the questions posed (scroll down a little)

2 members of the CLOUD Management Committee attended the Cabinet meeting in person. Council rules allowed us to observe the proceedings, but not to ask oral questions. Before the start of the meeting we were welcomed by Cllr Philippa Williamson, Cabinet Chair, and by Cllr Aidy Riggott, Cabinet member with lead responsibility for the South Lancaster link roads. They both expressed their appreciation of the level of public interest and the number of questions asked. We were assured that all questions would be answered within 5 working days in accordance with Council procedures.

The Cabinet discussion and decision on the M6 link roads turned out to be very different from what we were expecting. There was no discussion on the financial or other issues on which we had submitted our written questions. Instead it was explained that the sole purpose of the report to Cabinet on this occasion was to secure approval to the changed route for the link road. Only with Cabinet approval - given unanimously - would it then be appropriate to proceed to public consultation on the link road scheme. In other words this was an enabling resolution to allow the consultation phase to go ahead.

What this means is that there will be a public consultation, probably starting in early March, on the link road scheme with comments invited from local residents. This is to be followed by a planning inquiry on the scheme this Autumn. We don’t have any more details at this stage on how and exactly when the March consultation will be arranged, but will pass on details to you as soon as we know more. In the meantime, as you may well have already seen, Lancashire County has issued a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document in response to the 28 written questions. Here is the link to it Some answers are clearly more satisfactory than others (!) and so it looks as though we will need to follow up issues in the forthcoming public consultation. Keep a watch for further Newsbriefs!

1. 23/00068/EIR Planning Application at Newlands Road - flooding risk

Screening opinion for an outline planning application for the erection of up to 120 dwellings with associated access | Land North West Of Newlands Road Lancaster Lancashire Here is link

This application is a cause for concern because of the increased flooding risk in the locality and downstream along Burrow Beck, silting of streams, wildlife and traffic implications. CLOUD will be writing an objection on these grounds. If you are concerned about this application do please object - and copy your objection to your local City Councillor (John o’ Gaunt Ward).

1. CLOUD complaint about the public consultation on Topic Papers for the Lancaster South Area Action Plan (LSAAP)

In the CLOUD newsletter of 20th January, Mary Breakell reported on the letter she had sent to the Chief executive of Lancaster City Council complaining that this public consultation was not fit for purpose and surrounded by excessive secrecy. A reply to this complaint has now been received but fails to provide satisfactory answers to many of the complaints. Mary has now written a further letter in response and click here for this Stage 2 Complaint We await the reply!