A SCHEME to conserve and develop Lancashire over the next 10 years has received backing from an independent panel of experts.

The Replacement Joint Structure Plan sets out the location and amount of land for development to meet the county's future needs, while protecting and enhancing its assets.

Lancashire County Council worked closely with Blackpool Council and Blackburn with Darwen Council on the document, which also sets out policies on the development and conservation of land, as well as traffic management up to 2016.

The independent panel inspected the document and heard from representatives of local and regional government, industry and environmentalists. Their report gives strong support to the approach taken by the councils.