Proposals

All councils in Lancashire are working together to propose changes to how they are run. 

These proposals are based on: 

  • Making sure decision making is as close to communities as possible 
  • Delivering value for money and efficient local services  
  • What’s good for local businesses and voluntary sector organisations

In this section, you can read the proposals that councils in Lancashire sent to government on 28 November 2025. 

Proposals range from a two to a five unitary authority model: 

 

 

Two Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which will see the region split into two unitary authorities: 

  1. Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster, Wyre, Preston, Ribble Valley
  2. Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle

PROPOSAL

Two Unitary Model

 

Three Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which will see the region split into three unitary authorities: 

  1. Coastal Lancashire - Blackpool, Fylde, Lancaster, Wyre
  2. Central Lancashire - Chorley, Preston, South Ribble, West Lancashire
  3. Pennine Lancashire - Blackburn with Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle, Ribble Valley

Proposal

3UA costal map

 

Four Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which will see the region split into four unitary authorities: 

  1. Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire (South Lancashire)
  2. Fylde, Wyre, Blackpool (Fylde Coast)
  3. Lancaster, Preston, Ribble Valley (North Lancashire)
  4. Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle, Burnley (Pennine Lancashire)

Proposal

Appendices

Four Unitary Model

 

Alternate Four Unitary Model

An alternative model for Lancashire which will see the region split into four unitary authorities:

1.            Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire (Southern)

2.            Fylde, Blackpool, Preston, west Wyre (Western)

3.            Lancaster, east Wyre, north Ribble Valley (Northern)

4.            Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Rossendale, Pendle, Burnley, south Ribble Valley (Eastern)

Full details of the proposed areas are included in the proposal on page 32.

Proposal 

Four alternative unitary map

 

Five Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which will see the region split into five unitary authorities: 

  1. Lancaster, Wyre 
  2. Preston, Fylde, Blackpool
  3. Ribble Valley, Hyndburn, Blackburn with Darwen
  4. Pendle, Burnley, Rossendale
  5. Chorley, South Ribble, West Lancashire

Proposal 

Five Unitary Model