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Proposals 

Proposals submitted for Lancashire range from a two to a five unitary authority model.

In November 2025, our Cabinet approved the recommendation to submit the our proposal for two unitary authorities for Lancashire to Government. In total five proposals from across the county were submitted to Government.

Two Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which would 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

Map of Lancashire split into North and South areas

Three Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which would 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

Map of Lancashire split into Coastal Lancashire, Pennine Lancashire and Central Lancashire

Four Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which would 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)

Map of Lancashire split into Coastal Lancashire, Pennine Lancashire and Central Lancashire

Alternate Four Unitary Model

An alternative model for Lancashire which would 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)

Map of Lancashire split into Coastal Lancashire, Pennine Lancashire and Central Lancashire

 

Five Unitary Model

A model for Lancashire which would 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