Press Release: Hyndburn Borough Council Submits Local Plan 2021-2040 for Independent Examination
Press Release: Hyndburn Borough Council Submits Local Plan 2021-2040 for Independent Examination
Hyndburn Borough Council is pleased to announce that the Local Plan 2021-2040 has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination as of Monday, 10th March 2025. This submission marks a significant milestone in the Council’s efforts to shape the future development of the Borough.
The Local Plan is a cornerstone of the planning system, outlining strategic objectives and a spatial vision aimed at enabling improved economic opportunities and addressing future housing and environmental needs. It sets out the Council’s Spatial Strategy, which will guide the evaluation of planning applications through proposed strategic policies and site allocations.
The Local Plan centres around the following five strategic objectives:
To create greater opportunities for all to access improved economic opportunities and to provide support for the local economy and a higher wage employment.
To provide for a greater choice and quality of housing (designed and built to enable people to lead active lives) including transformational change at Huncoat Garden Village.
To improve and sustain quality of health and wellbeing and enable the residents of Hyndburn to lead active lifestyles.
To conserve and, where appropriate, enhance a valued urban and rural environment that is ready to address the causes and effects of climate change.
To provide easy access for all to good quality services and facilities.
The Local Plan aims to increase the number, quality, and variety of homes in the Borough and improve job opportunities by providing new employment land. This plan addresses long-standing issues like high levels of poverty, people moving away for work, poor housing conditions, and limited housing options. The Plan sets a goal to build 194 homes each year (3,686 homes in total) from 2021 to 2040, and to provide 70 hectares of new employment land.
To meet these goals, the Plan identifies specific areas across the Borough for development. This includes 23 housing sites, with around 1,500 new homes planned for Huncoat, and 6 employment sites, including major new areas at Altham and Whitebirk.
Councillor Munsif Dad, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council said:
“The submission of the Local Plan 2021-2040 marks a pivotal moment for Hyndburn. This comprehensive plan is designed to deliver economic growth, address housing needs and enhance our environment, ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for all residents. We want to build housing and create employment opportunities that encourage our residents to stay in Hyndburn and attracts other to live and work in our borough.”
An overarching theme which runs through the core of the plan is sustainable development, with the need to tackle climate change, protect and enhance the area’s biodiversity and other natural and built heritage assets. Creating a sustainable and safe transport system is also a key theme.”
The following documents have been submitted and are available to view on the Council’s website or in person at the Council offices at Scaitcliffe House, Accrington or in libraries across the borough.
- Hyndburn Local Plan 2021-2040
- Hyndburn Local Plan 2021-2040 Policies Map
- Other supporting documents and evidence base
- Copies of representations received in accordance with the Regulation 19 consultation*
A Planning Inspector will soon be appointed to conduct an Examination into the Soundness and Legal Compliance of the Plan.
The submission documents can be viewed in full at https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/planning-in-hyndburn/hyndburn-local-plan-to-2040-examination/