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3. THE PLAN STRATEGY
   
  General Background
3.1 With the land available for development from the New Town, which is a commitment and cannot be changed through the Local Plan, together with a significant number of other sites which have already been granted planning permission in the normal way, substantial provision already exists in Preston to cater for a large proportion of future needs.
3.2 With this commitment and external influences on Preston Local Plan, ranging from Government Guidance to the Lancashire Structure Plan, the ability for it to be visionary is somewhat restrained. Nevertheless there is scope to try and reconcile some of the contemporary planning dilemmas which are important both locally and nationally. For example:
 
  • How should the plan prevent urban expansion into the countryside?
  • How should the plan restrain the use of the private car and improve public transport alternatives?
  • How should the plan protect the City centre against out of town competition?
3.3 The plan should be viewed as a package of inter-related policies, for example policies for new roads should be seen in the context of proposals to achieve environmental improvements and to enhance the attraction of public transport. Overall the plan seeks to move towards a better balance between economic growth and diversification whilst trying to safeguard finite, environmental resources for future generations. Implicit in such an approach is a more effective use of the existing urban fabric rather than further outward expansion of the City onto ‘easy to develop’ greenfield sites.
   
  Strategic Themes
3.4 The strategy underpinning the Local Plan can best be expressed as a number of inter-active themes.
   
  Urban Concentration
3.5 The majority of all new development will be concentrated in the existing urban area, re-using wherever possible derelict or under-used sites and relying on the large supply of land already committed for new development, but not yet built upon. The Structure Plan advocates a growth point or "strategic location" outside the main urban area where limited new development could occur. The plan reflects this in allocating Whittingham Hospital for redevelopment, seeking to maximise the use of this large brownfield site.
   
  Mixed Development Patterns
3.6 The plan seeks to achieve a greater mixture and diversity of uses within the urban area, rural villages and on new, large development sites such as Whittingham Hospital. This will reduce the need to travel long distances to work, particularly by car, by ensuring a closer relationship between the location of jobs and homes. A greater mixture of land uses will also create more vibrant and varied environments.
   
  Economic Growth
3.7 The plan makes provision for a range of opportunities for new employment and housing which is a basic requirement for economic regeneration and diversification. It is vital to accommodate the anticipated needs of the future population and work force and provide opportunities to replace outworn buildings and infrastructure. In the interests of promoting the rural economy, the plan recognises that rural areas can accommodate many forms of development without detriment, if the location and design of the development is handled with sensitivity.
   
  Restraint of the Motor Car
3.8 The plan advocates measures which seek to restrain the use of the car for journeys to work, particularly in the City centre. This will be complemented by measures which make alternative means of travel more attractive. Proposals for new Park and Ride facilities, bus priority measures and a new railway station form part of a package which include restrictions on long stay car parking and confining highway improvements to those which produce environmental benefits.
   
  Safeguarding City Centres
3.9 Policies are advocated which seek to maintain and improve the vitality and viability of the City centre against the competition of out of town shopping and the decentralisation of other traditional City centre uses. The maintenance of a more varied and vibrant City centre, through a greater mixture of uses is also advocated.
   
  Improving Environmental Quality
3.10 Through a package of measures the plan seeks to improve the quality of all forms of development. By demanding better standards of design, carrying out environmental improvements and urban regeneration the overall quality of the environment, and hence the image of the City will improve.
   
  Protecting the Natural Environment
3.11 Plan policies are aimed at protecting important natural environments by restricting development in the countryside, where they affect nature conservation interests and where they reduce the level and quality of Greenspace in the urban area. Other policies provide for the protection and enhancement of areas of historic and architectural interest within the built environment.
   
  Equal Opportunities
3.12 Plan policies aim to ensure that all residents, workers and visitors regardless of gender, race, age, or level of personal mobility are able to participate fully and on equal terms in the life of the community.
   
  Developer Responsibilities
3.13 The plan seeks to address the problems which occurred in the past whereby public authorities and local communities were often left with problems as a result of development, for example increased traffic or capacity problems in schools or social facilities. The plan makes explicit the responsibilities a developer should accept and undertake as part of their principal works.
   
  A Better Balance
3.14 The essential characteristic of the Plan's strategy is therefore to achieve a better balance between development and the protection of finite environmental resources. In Preston this necessitates a restraint on continued outward expansion. To achieve this requires the more effective and efficient use of the existing urban infrastructure through careful regeneration and evolution, along with management of transport demands.
 
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