DLP Planning Facilitates the Adoption of a Local Development Order for the Warton Aerodrome Enterprise Zone

Over the past 12 months, DLP Planning has been working with BAE Systems and Fylde Council to create a new Local Development Order (LDO) covering the Phase 1 Enterprise Zone at Warton Aerodrome. The Council’s Executive Committee confirmed the LDO at its meeting on Monday 17 February and the LDO was adopted by Fylde Council on 3 March 2025.

Warton Aerodrome was granted Enterprise Zone status in the 2011 Autumn Statement. It’s designation as an Enterprise Zone seeks to build on Lancashire’s strong base in aerospace manufacturing and engineering by offering incentives to businesses in such centres to locate to the Warton Aerodrome site. Such benefits include business rates discounts and enhanced capital allowances.

LDO were introduced with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and allow local planning authorities to extend permitted development rights for certain forms of development.

The LDO for Warton Enterprise Zone therefore streamlines the planning permission process for new development within the Enterprise Zone.

It grants permitted development rights allowing for the construction of new facilities and buildings for advanced manufacturing and engineering uses within certain Use Classes. Occupiers of the Enterprise Zone would not need to apply for planning permission for new buildings for such uses. Rather a simple prior approval process will take place.

The prior approval process allows Fylde Council to maintain some planning control of matters such as design and environmental impact but provides a quick and flexible route for potential occupiers to secure consent for new buildings and infrastructure.

Therefore, alongside other non-planning benefits of the site’s Enterprise Zone designation and recent infrastructure improvements in the area, the benefits of the LDO will make the site a highly attractive location for investment. It will place the site at the forefront of delivering the priorities of the Lancashire Local Authorities, as set out in the Lancashire 2050 Strategic Framework.

These include realising growth in the advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors and growing their associated supply chains, attracting new Tier 1 companies to the UK, and delivering high value jobs in Lancashire.

DLP Planning played a central role in the LDO process.

Whilst instructed by our client BAE Systems, we provided advice to both BAE Systems and Fylde Council, adopting a collaborative approach with both parties to ensure the LDO met the requirements of both BAE Systems as landowner and Fylde Council as the local planning authority.

A number of the DLP Group services played a part in the LDO process, including Planning, Masterplanning, and Transport and Infrastructure.

Our role has included:

• Advising BAE Systems, Fylde Council, and other stakeholders on the LDO process, the justifications for the LDO, and appropriate measures to be including in the LDO to balance the need for flexibility in the development permitted, the amenity of nearby residents, and other interests in the area;
• Highways advice and impact assessment;
• Drafting and coordinating an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Request;
• Drafting a masterplan to support the LDO;
• Assisting Fylde Council with stakeholder consultation on the LDO;
• Drafting the LDO document itself; and
• upporting Fylde Council through the adoption process.
• Supporting Fylde Council through the adoption process.

We are continuing to advise BAE Systems on the discharge of conditions contained in the LDO.

Our multi-disciplinary service offer provided significant benefits throughout this process, enabling the efficient sharing of information and allowing the necessary evidence base and supporting documents for the LDO to be undertaken and drafted quickly and efficiently.

Our expertise in working for both private clients and local authorities, and particular our strong relationship with Fylde Council based on previous working experience with the local authority, enabled us to foster good working relationships between our clients and local planning authorities, ensuing that the goals and aims of all parties were delivered