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The Local Development Framework is underpinned by work on the Borough’s infrastructure. By “infrastructure” we mean the basic facilities, services, and installations needed to make Copeland work as a place to live, do business or visit. It falls into three broad categories: physical, such as roads and railways, drainage and energy supply systems - what many people would define as infrastructure; community infrastructure – schools, libraries, community centres, leisure, sports, cultural, health and police facilities; green infrastructure – parks and public open space, and also anything that contributes to or maintains biodiversity. 

Development may increase pressure on aspects of infrastructure which are deficient or at capacity. Where this is the case, planning obligations can be imposed to make sure that developers contribute to work which mitigates the impact of the development. This might include, for example, improvements to road junctions to reduce traffic congestion, or the provision or improvement of open space and sports facilities.

The Localism Act (2011) introduced a new form of plan, which gives communities the power to develop planning policies that will become part of the planning framework for their area, and to grant planning permission for certain types of new development.

The Design Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) will build on relevant Core Strategy and Development Management policies to develop a foundation for driving up the standard of built development in the Borough. As well as giving a clear basis for decision making it will serve as a guide to developers as to what standards Copeland is looking for. It will also give updated guidance on the technicalities of planning applications, such as Design and Access Statements and ‘Building for Life’ standards.  Its aims are to encourage development which reflects Copeland’s distinctive character, and to foster creative modern architecture which enhances our towns and villages, rather than clashing with them.

Work has started on the preparation of a new Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the area of coastal fringe between the Candlestick Chimney in the north and Birkhams Quarry to the south. The SPD will encompass the former chemicals works on the “Marchon / Rhodia” site, Haig Mining Museum and part of the St Bees SSSI along the coastal strip. The Cumbrian Coastal Path runs approximately north / south through the area, linking Whitehaven Harbour to the north west’s only section of Heritage Coast at St Bees Head.

West Whitehaven has a complex and extensive history of mining, quarrying and industrial activity which has left a legacy of ground contamination, mine shafts and scars in the landscape, as well as a number of buildings and structures of historical and archaeological interest. The area also supports a variety of interesting and nationally significant wildlife. The SPD will set out planning guidelines for West Whitehaven’s future protection and enhancement, and will identify possible areas where carefully designed, small scale development which meets local needs, may be acceptable.