Archived Content - This page is for information only.
The Council submitted the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies DPD for independent examination on 31 October 2012. Visit the Core Strategy and Development Management Policies Examination webpage.
A significant proportion of the urban areas within Copeland are situated in close proximity to the coast and the large rivers of the Borough, and these areas are consequently at risk of coastal and fluvial flooding. However, these are not the only flood risks. There are many locations that are threatened by flooding from the numerous small watercourses that are features of the upland and rural nature of Copeland, and from overloaded drainage and sewage systems.
The Copeland Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) has been carried out to meet the following key objectives:
The West Cumbria Employment Land and Premises Study was commissioned by Copeland and Allerdale Borough Councils.
In April 2008, Copeland Borough Council, Allerdale Borough Council and Cumbria County Council commissioned WYG Planning and Design to undertake an assessment of the current and future retail role of the main centres within the West Cumbria Sub-Region. The study includes an in-depth analysis of the retail provision within the main centres of the West Cumbria Sub-Region, including an assessment of the extent to which the centres are meeting the retail needs of the local population and the role of the local shopping network and the Sub-Regional shopping hierarchy. The West Cumbria Retail Study was published in April 2009.
The West Cumbria Retail Assessment Addendum was published in January 2012.
A number of documents have been produced as part of the Whitehaven Town Centre Heritage and Design Series.
In 2010 the Council commissioned a series of leisure studies examining open space, sport and recreation facilities for the Copeland Borough. The three reports are available to download below.
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.
Copeland Borough Council formally adopted the Whitehaven Town Centre and Harbourside Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) on 6th September 2012.
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 West Cumbria Economic Blueprint sets out Britain’s Energy Coast’s vision for the development of the local economy in West Cumbria over the next 15 years. Launched in June 2012, the Blueprint articulates the collective aims of local public and private sector partners to build on the area’s unique nuclear expertise and global position to develop a dynamic, wealth creating, sustainable economic future for today, tomorrow and future generations.
