Local Plan

[2.1.01] We believe that fundamental to our ability to manage the Lake District is that we have a clear Vision for how we ultimately want the place to be. The Vision and Vision Outcomes were agreed by the Lake District National Park Partnership in 2006, and were reviewed as part of the preparation of the Lake District National Park Partnership’s Plan 2015–2020. In order to deliver our collective vision our strategic objectives all relate to delivery of this Vision. The Strategic Objectives for the Local Plan are presented as “specifically this means” and the “cross cutting objectives”.

The 2030 Vision for the English Lake District is that it will be:

An inspirational example of sustainable development in action.

• A place where its prosperous economy, world class visitor experiences and vibrant communities come together to sustain the spectacular landscape, its wildlife and cultural heritage.
• Local people, visitors, and the many organisations working in the Lake District or have a contribution to make to it, must be united in achieving this.

The 2030 Vision for the English Lake District is that it will be an inspirational example of sustainable development in action – see our four headings below and how they link to our Strategic Objectives:

We will see the following Vision outcome:

Businesses will locate in the National Park because they value the quality of opportunity, environment and lifestyle it offers – many will draw on a strong connection to the landscape. Entrepreneurial spirit will be nurtured across all sectors and traditional industries maintained to ensure a diverse economy.

Specifically this means:

• A diverse and growing economy, supporting higher paid jobs, utilising a range of employment spaces that provide a choice of employment opportunities for everyone.
• Profitable and sustainable land management, farming, and forestry industries.
• The Lake District is a year round destination with more longer staying visitors supporting the economy.

We will see the following Vision outcome:

People successfully living, working and relaxing within upland, valley and lakeside places where distinctive local character is maintained and celebrated.

Specifically this means:

• A balanced and resilient housing market with a high proportion of properties in permanent occupation, and a supply of new homes that meet local people’s needs and maximises the delivery of affordable housing.
• Community and cultural facilities and local services are sustained, and communities have improved availability and access to well paid jobs, high quality greenspaces, recreation facilities and the countryside.

We will see the following Vision outcome:

High quality and unique experiences for visitors within a stunning and globally significant landscape. Experiences that compete with the best in the international market.

Specifically this means:

• Changing visitor expectations are met by a diverse range of quality accommodation.
• Every visitor has the best experience that the Lake District offers through improved attractions, high quality public realm and amenities, and accessible visitor information; in turn appreciation and understanding of the Lake District is enhanced.

We will see the following Vision outcome:

A landscape which provides an irreplaceable source of inspiration, whose benefits to people and wildlife are valued and improved. A landscape whose natural and cultural resources are assets to be managed and used wisely for future generations.

Specifically this means:

• The extraordinary beauty and harmony of the Lake District landscape and its Special Qualities and attributes of Outstanding Universal value are conserved and enhanced.
• Design is inspired by and contributes to local distinctiveness, and natural resources and cultural heritage assets are conserved, enhanced, utilised, and managed.
• Bigger, better and more joined up resilient habitats support wildlife and species, and the function of ecosystems are improved whilst the evolution of the cultural landscape is respected.

[2.1.02] Special Qualities distinguish National Parks from each other and other areas of the country. All of the Special Qualities of the Lake District contribute in different ways to the Outstanding Universal Value of the area recognised by World Heritage Site Status. As this is the case all of the attributes of Outstanding Universal Value are specific aspects of each of the Special Qualities. This is demonstrated in Table 1. Full descriptions of the Special Qualities are found in the Partnership’s Plan 2015-2020, as are the attributes of Outstanding Universal Value for each valley.

[2.1.03] Climate change is already having a direct impact upon what the Lake District looks like and how its environment, society, and economy will function in the future. Our strategic response to the risks that climate change presents to the Vision, Special Qualities and attributes of Outstanding Universal Value must be holistic, rather than limited to a single strategy. Therefore we have addressed climate change through a number of our policies in this document including ‘Principles of development’, ‘Development and flooding’, ‘Biodiversity and geodiversity ’, ‘Design and development’, ‘Lakeshore development’, ‘West Distinctive Area’ (in relation to Coast) and ‘Renewable and low carbon energy’.

Health and Wellbeing

An important contribution to the nation’s wellbeing is made by opportunities in the Lake District as people benefit physically and mentally.

Connectivity and Infrastructure

People and businesses have complete coverage of digital infrastructure in every valley.

People move easily between destinations utilising enhanced, integrated, and sustainable transport services and infrastructure, travel and orientation information, delivering a better choice of attractive travel options.

World Heritage and Local Character

Distinctiveness of place and individual character of valleys is recognised, and reflected by the character and form of new development, enabling the appropriate evolution and benefits befitting a National Park and World Heritage Site.

Climate Change and Resilience

Resilience to climate change and extreme weather events is improved by greater adaptation and mitigation. Improved energy efficiency, local scale energy generation, improved sustainable travel options, and reducing the need to travel reduce the Lake District’s Carbon Budget and mitigate predicted effects of climate change.

[5.1.01] Monitoring is essential to establish what is happening and what may happen in the future and it means we can compare trends against existing policies to assess performance and whether we need to make changes. We assess the progress and effectiveness of planning policies set out in the Local Plan by asking:

• are policies achieving their intention, and is sustainable development being delivered?
• have policies had or are they having the intended consequences?
• are the strategic objectives behind the policies still relevant?
• are the targets set out in the Local Plan being achieved?

[5.1.02] The Local Plan will be monitored regularly over the plan period via the Annual Monitoring Report. We will monitor the Plan as a whole, and use the list of indicators in Table 2 to inform the Annual Monitoring Report. It provides us with the opportunity to critically evaluate the effectiveness of our planning policies and monitor if a policy is working. We can also use it to identify and consider any changes in local circumstances which may influence the effectiveness of our policies.

[5.1.03] The Annual Monitoring Report is used to monitoring trend data over time and can be used as a trigger to either initiate a review of the Local Plan or introduce additional guidance on how to implement a policy, if required.

[5.1.04] We have established two types of indicator which are either ‘core’ or ‘contextual ’. Core indicators monitor the effectiveness of the policies within the Local Plan whereas the contextual indicators provide additional information that has a wider contextual benefit such as linking to the State of the Park Report. Where we identify ‘bigger better’ or ‘smaller better’ as a target these reflect circumstances where the intention of the policy is to effect a specific change or outcome. Where ‘no target’ has been specified this reflects the indicators are largely contextual or respond to individual circumstance.

[5.1.05] The aspirations of Local Plan, determined by the Vision and Strategic Objectives, will be delivered with the support of landowners, members of the community and the Lake District National Partnership.