Business leaders warn that failure to meet housing targets could jeopardise £5 billion cyber investment.
Lancashire’s leading independent business voice, Downtown in Business, has today issued an urgent warning: failure to deliver enough homes risks undermining the National Cyber Force’s long-term future in the county — and could see growth, jobs and investment migrate to Greater Manchester.
With government imposing tough new housing targets on Lancashire’s Councils — including 590 new homes a year in Preston, 498 in South Ribble, 557 in Chorley, 569 in West Lancashire, and 627 in Lancaster — the pressure is mounting. But years of under-delivery, planning inertia, and a failure to unlock key sites mean the county is on the brink of a missed opportunity.
DIB says that the recently published local plan for Central Lancashire has downgraded both housing and job targets, which the business group claims severely undermines the County’s ability to attract investment, talent, and growth opportunities.
Frank McKenna, Chief Executive of Downtown in Business, said:
“The National Cyber Force is a once-in-a-generation investment for Lancashire. But if we don’t build the homes that engineers, cyber specialists, and their families need, the talent will go elsewhere — and so will future investment. Greater Manchester is already positioning itself to absorb that growth.”
“This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about creating the communities, infrastructure, and quality of life that a world-leading cyber hub demands. Without urgent action, we risk becoming a satellite, not a centre.”
Downtown in Business has provided a briefing note to all Lancashire MP’s highlighting the challenges and threats to the Government’ economic growth plans and housing targets, and is asking parliamentarians to intervene with local leaders to encourage a more aspirational housebuilding programme from the County’s local councils.
Downtown is calling for an immediate housing taskforce, the release of key sites, and a commitment from local authorities to work with developers, government and Homes England to deliver.
“Let Lancashire build — or others will.” McKenna concluded.
