Project launched for young adults to help shape future of Lancaster District

Sunday, 4 May 2025 10:11

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Young adults aged between 18 and 30 years old, living, working, or studying in the Lancaster District, are being asked to get involved in the project

Young adults are being asked to help shape the future of our local area at a series of workshops.

Lancaster City Council and Lancaster University have teamed up to give 18 to 30-year-olds a real voice in major local plans through the Placemaking with Young Adults project.

Young people’s views will help guide the council in its planning for better housing, jobs, transport, and the environment with their thoughts feeding directly into the Local Plan, a document which shapes how Lancaster, Morecambe, Heysham, Carnforth and the many villages and rural areas are likely to evolve during the next few decades.

This project builds on earlier work carried out with young people which successfully helped to create Lancaster’s sustainable travel and climate strategies.

Those interested can join walking workshops and interactive events in May and June – which includes looking at sites around Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth to look at how they can be developed and explore ideas from innovation to biodiversity.

“Planning is vital for managing how we live together, meet changing community needs, and carefully make the best use of land, said Mark Cassidy, Chief Officer, Planning and Climate Change at Lancaster City Council.

“The Local Plan sets the direction for how our district will grow and develop over the next 15 to 20 years, guiding everything from new housing to protecting important green spaces.

“Young people's voices are crucial in this process. Their ideas and aspirations will help shape policies that design a district which reflects what matters most to them and influences decisions which will ultimately affect their future.”

Dr Mirian Calvo, Lecturer in Participatory Architecture at Lancaster University, said: "Partnering with Lancaster City Council allows us to support young voices at the core of our mission.

"It's vital that their perspectives influence planning, ensuring future environments meet their needs and values."

All age groups across the district will have the opportunity to have their say and influence the Local Plan as the plan-making process continues.

The first ‘walkshop’ takes place on May 7 and places can be booked HERE.

Workshop dates:

Carnforth Hub: Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 5:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Lancaster Innovation Centre: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 10:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Lancaster and Morecambe College: Wednesday, June 4, 2025, 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM

The Storey, Lancaster: Saturday, June 28, 10.30AM – 3PM