Preston should set itself tough green goals for housebuilding, say Lib Dems

The joint opposition group on Preston City Council has published a series of proposals as part of its response to the consultation on a new local plan for Central Lancashire.

That document will help determine the shape of the region through to the mid-2030s - by which time Lib Dem group leader John Potter says new housing design standards need to have been established as the norm.

He is calling for measures to ensure that all new homes in Preston emit zero carbon once they are built - and for developers to aim to mitigate any carbon generated during the construction of their properties.

“Some of the homes being built in the next local plan period will be completed just over a decade before the country is supposed to become carbon neutral in 2050. I think that target should be 2045 at the latest - and the sooner we get there the better.

“[Our policies] will not only help tackle climate change, but also lead to cheaper energy bills, better air quality and make our communities more attractive places to live and work," Cllr Potter said.

The three partners in the Central Lancashire local plan - Preston, South Ribble and Chorley councils - have all indicated individually that they want to be carbon neutral by 2030. Last year, the joint advisory committee which is overseeing the local plan process heard a warning that government plans to set phased emissions reduction targets for new housing could restrict the ability of local authorities to enforce tougher standards drawn up locally.

As part of a policy to turn Preston into what the Liberal Democrats call a “Green Guild City” - because they want the changes implemented before the next Preston Guild in 2032 - the party also wants to see electric vehicle charging points in all new homes, new cycling and walking routes provided in order to secure planning permission and for new housing developments to increase biodiversity.

The group has published its full submission to the Central Lancashire local plan consultation, which includes a call for provision made in previous city-based plans - for two new primary schools and a secondary school in North West Preston - to be made good and even extended.

Cllr Potter said: “Currently, some of our most vulnerable and disabled children go to the excellent Acorns school on Blackpool Road. However, that building is now too old and no longer fit for purpose.

“New schools are planned to be built in the north and west of the city so it makes sense to integrate a new special school into one of those designs.

“We realise that local councils can’t do all this on their own and will need support from the private sector, cooperatives and government to make this work - but in showing our goals we can get the ball rolling to build the city we want to see in the future.”

The Central Lancashire local plan "issues and options" consultation closed last week. A list of preferred options will now be drawn up over the next 18 months before being subject to further consultation in summer 2021. The plan itself is expected to be finalised no earlier than December 2023.