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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.