Westmorland and Furness Local Plan consultation opens – what it means and how to take part
People across Westmorland and Furness are being asked to help shape where new homes, workplaces and other developments should be built over the next 20 years.
Westmorland and Furness Council has opened the first formal consultation on its new Local Plan.
The consultation runs from July 1 until August 11, 2026 and is open to residents, businesses, community groups and other organisations.
What is the Local Plan?
The Local Plan will guide development across Westmorland and Furness up to 2045.
It will set out how much new development is needed and identify suitable areas for housing, employment and other uses.
The plan will also include rules used when the council decides future planning applications.
It is expected to cover:
- New homes and housing needs
- Business and employment land
- Roads, transport and other infrastructure
- Climate change and nature
- Community facilities and public health
- Minerals and waste development
- Areas and green spaces that should be protected
Once adopted, the new document will replace the separate Local Plans inherited from the former Barrow, Eden, South Lakeland and Cumbria councils.
Which areas will it cover?
The plan will cover most of the Westmorland and Furness Council area.
However, it will not cover land within the Lake District or Yorkshire Dales national parks. Both national park authorities prepare their own Local Plans.
What is the council asking people about?
This first stage is known as a scoping consultation.
Rather than presenting final development sites or detailed policies, the council is asking what the plan should focus on and what it should aim to achieve.
The consultation is based around six main themes:
- Health and communities
- Place
- Economy
- Climate and nature
- Travel and infrastructure
- Housing
People can say whether they agree with these themes and highlight any issues they believe have been missed. They can also explain how they would like to receive updates and take part during later stages.
Does this consultation decide where new homes will go?
No final housing allocations have been made at this stage.
The council said it does not yet know how much land will be developed during the plan period. However, national housing targets mean it will need to look for areas that could support significant growth.
Land shown through previous “Call for Sites” exercises should not be viewed as land that has already been approved for development. Those locations were suggested by landowners, developers or other parties and must still be assessed by the council.
How can people take part?
The easiest way to respond is through the council’s online Local Plan survey.
A short “Quick Read” survey is available for residents and anyone seeking a simple way to share their views.
There is also a longer survey aimed at organisations, stakeholders and statutory consultees. Both can be accessed through the Local Plan section of the council’s website.
Responses must be submitted by August 11, 2026.
Council staff will also attend events across the area during July and August to provide information and help people access the survey.
Can people suggest land for development?
The council has also reopened its Call for Sites.
This allows landowners, developers, residents and community groups to suggest land that could potentially be considered for future development.
Submitting land does not mean it will receive planning permission or be included in the final plan. Each site will need to be assessed before the council decides whether it is suitable.
Focus groups and future updates
The council plans to hold focus groups with communities and groups that have not been well represented during earlier consultations.
Groups interested in taking part can contact the Local Plan team at localplan@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.
Residents can also join the council’s Planning Policy consultation database. Those who sign up will receive email updates about future consultations and later stages of the plan.
Why taking part matters
The final Local Plan could influence development decisions for many years.
It will help decide where homes and workplaces may be built, which green spaces should be protected and what roads, schools, health services and other facilities may be needed.
Although the plan is still at an early stage, this consultation gives residents a chance to raise local concerns before detailed policies and development options are prepared.
