There is still time to take part in the consultation on Bradford Council’s new Local Plan, which sets out how the district will grow sustainably over the next 15-20 years and what it means for local communities.
Four preferred sites in Ilkley have been chosen by Bradford Council, the largest of the four Ilkley sites is Coutances Way/Wheatley Lane on open fields below the Ben Rhydding scout hut, with a proposed 155 houses being build. A plot between Wheatley Grove and Ben Rhydding Drive is the next largest with 130 homes, followed by Skipton Road (20) and Stockheld Road (9). The three larger sites are all green-belt.
The Local Plan features proposals for housing and employment and a range of policies which will help guide development and link them to improvements in infrastructure. It also sets out new info on open spaces, green infrastructure & places of ecological value.
Central to the plan are issues including tackling air pollution, supporting sustainable transport, and making the district a more prosperous and greener place to live, work and enjoy and delivering the district’s net zero carbon ambition by 2038. The better use of brownfield land and regeneration form key parts of the plan with strong ambitions for the continued transformation of the City Centre through potential investment in high speed rail and mass transit. The plan also sets out strategies for local areas and how they may evolve with new housing and employment opportunities whilst protecting key local assets and features.
Since early February the council has been asking residents and key stakeholders for their views on the proposals and sites featured in the draft Local Plan. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic the consultation has been conducted online, but supported by an information service through planning policy.
There have so far been over 3,500 responses to the consultation with over 2000 submitted through the Council’s new consultation portal. The council has also held over 20 online consultation events which have been attended by around 400 attendees.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “We have had a good response so far to the consultation on this key milestone in the development of the Local Plan, but there is still time for people to have their say. The development of the Local Plan is important for all communities right across the district. This consultation is the first step of a key part of the process. We need to know what elements of the plan that people like and support as well as any concerns, so I would encourage everyone to make their views known via the consultation before it closes on 24 March.” To take part in the consultation visit https://bradford.oc2.uk/document/20. People can phone 01274 433679 during office hours or email planning.policy@bradford.gov.uk if they have problems accessing the consultation or if they have any questions about the Local Plan.
The consultation closes on 24 March 2021.