Main Modifications Consultation

The Copeland Local Plan 2021-2038 Publication Draft and Addendum Document were submitted to the Secretary of State for Public Examination in September 2022 and public Hearings were held in February and March 2023 to discuss all relevant matters and issues. 

All information regarding the Examinatoin can be found at Local Plan Examination page and in the Examination Library.

The appointed Planning Inspector has now considered all representations made in response to those submitted documents, as well as the discussions that took place during the Hearings in 2023, and has now identified a number of amendments or ‘modifications’ that are required in order to ensure the Local Plan is sound (i.e. positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy).  

We held a six week public consultation between Wednesday 14th February and Thursday 28th March 2024 to hear views on the proposed modifications.  These are set out in the Main Modifications Schedule and Appendices documents, and the Proposals Map Modifications Schedule, which have been tested for impacts via Habitats Regulatoins Assessments and Sustainability Appraisal.  These documents can be found in the links below:

• Main Modifications Schedule
• Main Modifications Appendices
• Proposals Map Modifications Schedule
• Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA) of the Main Modifications
• Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the Main Modifications

Hard copies of the consultation documents and representation forms can be found at the Council Offices in the Market Hall, Market Place, Whitehaven, CA28 7JG.  They are also available to view at the following libraries in Copeland during their normal opening hours:

• Cleator Moor Library – Market Square, Cleator Moor, CA25 5AP
• Egremont Library – West Lakes Academy, Main Street, Egremont CA22 2DQ
• Frizington Library – Main Street, Frizington CA26 3PF
• Gosforth Library – Public Hall, Gosforth, Seascale CA20 1AS
• Seascale Library – Gosforth Rd, Seascale CA20 1PN
• Millom Library – Millom Community Hub, Salthouse Road, Millom, LA18 5AB
• Whitehaven Library – Lowther Street, Whitehaven, CA28 7QZ

Please note that we are only seeking comments on these Main Modifications and associated consultation documents and not the Local Plan as a whole.  This consultation is not an opportunity to comment on any other aspect of the Local Plan that is not mentioned in the modifications documents.  Representations should reflect issues of legal compliance and soundness, outlined at the bottom of this page, and representations can only be considered on this basis.  There is no need to re-submit previous representations.

Comments should be submitted in writing using the representation form provided and returned to:

Strategic Planning
The Market Hall
Market Place 
Whitehaven
Cumbria, CA28 7JG

Or by email to: LocalPlanConsultation@cumberland.gov.uk  

The consultation closed on 5pm on Thursday 28th March 2024.

All representations received in response to the consultation will be forwarded to the Planning Inspector for her consideration before she finalises her examination report into the Copeland Local Plan 2021-2038.

 

Additional Minor Modifications

A number of other changes and updates will be required to be made to the Local Plan before it is adopted.  These Additional Modifications have been identified by the Council and are outside the scope of the Main Modifications consultation as they are largely factual updates and other minor changes rather than matters of soundness.  These Additional Modifications are contained in the following document: Additional Modifications Schedule.

While these are not part of the formal consultation the Council would welcome any comments regarding inaccuracies or errors.  Please note that any responses made to the Additional Modifications Schedule will not be considered by the Planning Inspector.

 

Note about the Consultation Documents

The Main Modifications consultation documents are available to download.  Please note that Section 7 of the Procedure Guide For Local Plan Examinations requires that modifications must follow a convention of strike through for deletions from the text and underlining for additions to it. This means that some of our documents will not be accessible. If, for any reason, you cannot access the documents and need an alternative format, please contact us.

 

The Tests of Soundness

Positively prepared: This means that the Local Plan should be prepared based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development infrastructure requirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development.

Justified: The Local Plan should be the most appropriate strategy when considered against reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence.

Effective: The Local Plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities.

Consistent with national policy: The Local Plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the NPPF.