Local Plans set out the long term strategy for development in an area. They decide the future role of our cities, towns and villages, and identify where and, broadly speaking, how much new development should happen.
This includes where and how many new homes should be built, including the proportion of affordable homes; the locations where businesses need land to expand, and where new shops should be located; which areas need to be regenerated, and which areas should be protected from development.
Local Plans are prepared by local planning authorities, in West Yorkshire the Metropolitan Councils, in co-operation with neighbouring planning authorities and a host of public bodies such as METRO (the Integrated Transport Authority), Natural England, the Environment Agency, and English Heritage.
In addition, and most importantly, local planning authorities must engage with local communities, community groups and local businesses, and take account of their views throughout the development of Local Plans.
The Government, through the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), has made clear that Local Plans are the key to delivering sustainable development that reflects the vision and aspiration of local communities. Despite these strong words, it is all too clear that much of the large scale development proposed in Local Plans is not sustainable and, when discovered by the local community, is not supported.
Our viewCPRE West Yorkshire seeks to influence the development of Local Plans in the county so that the coutryside is valued and protected, and the homes that are needed are provided in the right places.
We want to see locally distinctive places where high quality, well designed, energy efficient homes met local needs and enhnace distinctiveness. We believe that:
> Green Belt areas and open space should be protected from development.
> There should be more emphasis on regenerating our post industrial urban areas.
> There should be less building on green fields and more use of previously developed (brownfield) land.
We also want to see improvements made to the plan making system. We believe the system should:
> Be more open and accessible, encouraging more people to have their say.
> Give greater weight to the views and aspirations of local communities.
