The people's plan

We think that the people of Lancaster, rather than outside developers, should decide what happens to our town. We were therefore consulting local people to find out what people do want for the canal corridor.

The results from this questionnaire and from the other consultations was presented to the City Councils Regeneration Review Board. The Council has welcomed Real Planning for Lancasters results and sees them as a positive part of the process to ensuring that the site is developed with the residents wishes in mind. Developers generally like to have local communities on board and so are likely to be far more open to serious consideration of the local wishes for the site following RPfLs work.

RPfL are currently (November 2003) working with the Councils Planning Department to look into the possibility of a Masterplanning competition for the site. These involve pro-actively identifying developers to submit strategic plans which are then be open for public comment and appraisal.

What do people want to see happening with the area?

See a summary of suggestions from the questionnaire.

Comments by visitors to the website

I think that any development of the canal corridor should involve nice little work shops for local businesses, affordable but quality homes, preferably with gardens so people are encouraged to spend time outdoors looking after the local environment. This would also be good in terms of rainfall run-off, the less concrete the better. There certainly shouldn't be a new road - Lancaster already has plenty of these, just too many people using them when they don't need to. Some open spaces -park, nature reserve etc. would be really good, especially along the canal as this already is a haven for wildlife, and irresponsible development could be very detrimental to the habitats there. Please no more big supermarkets!! Small shops providing a bit of variety and character would be much nicer.

Good luck with the campaign, I think you are all doing a really good job. Excellent web site too!

Jo Moodie, Lincoln Rd, Lancaster

"In a nutshell: ...The Developer, Chelverton, have expressed interest in developing the site for a supermarket and retail, building a new road and parking."

can i nominate this for the "understatment of the year award"? As far as I can tell Carillion and Chelverton are drawing up serious plans for the area and aren't interested in local opinion.... george formby

..also outlined in the visitor is the Action Plan for Morecambe. Between the lines it's basically mall + retail park clearance, drawing in national chainstores, upmarket housing developments and a bypass. No investment into local existing communities, schools or business at all. Looks like Morecambe could do with a group like yours too, poor sods. love s