Following a successful public referendum, the Slyne-with-Hest Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) was officially adopted in 2023 and is now a legally binding document. The plan received support from our local residents, meaning Lancaster City Council now uses our Neighbourhood Plan to help determine planning applications within the parish.
Why We Created This Plan: Balancing Housing Needs and Local Control
Local governments are required to set aside land for the development of new houses in their area to meet wider housing needs. Lancaster City Council manages this through their overarching Local Plan, which provides strategic growth details for the entire Lancaster district—including areas falling under its control like Slyne-with-Hest.
Because our parish is designated as a sustainable settlement, it is naturally a focus for growth outside the main urban areas. However, we are also tightly bordered by the North Lancashire Green Belt.
Through the Localism Act, Parish Councils were given the opportunity to produce their own Neighbourhood Plans. This legally enabled our community to step in and proactively decide where new development would best be suited and exactly what it should look like—whether residential, commercial, or industrial.
Now that our plan is adopted, it sits alongside Lancaster City Council’s Local Plan. It ensures that future housing and growth are balanced against the need to prevent urban sprawl, protect our Green Belt, and maintain the distinct physical boundary between our parish, Lancaster to the south, and Bolton-le-Sands to the north.
What Does This Mean for Our Parish Going Forward?
Our community now has a powerful, statutory tool to shape the future of Slyne-with-Hest. The policies outlined in the adopted plan will ensure that future developments:
- Give local residents a meaningful voice in where homes are built, the types of homes allowed and their overall layout and design.
- Respect and enhance the unique character and heritage of our villages.
- Protect our valued green spaces, key viewpoints, and the local environment.
View the Final Documents
You can download and view the full, finalized version of the Neighbourhood Plan and its supporting documents below:
The Final Slyne-with-Hest Neighbourhood Plan Referendum Decision Statement Map of the Plan AreaA Note of Thanks: The Parish Council would like to extend a huge thank you to the Neighbourhood Plan Committee, steering group, volunteers, and every resident who attended consultations, provided feedback, and voted over the years. This plan truly reflects the collective vision and hard work of our community.