The Branch AGM was held at Lotherton Hall, Leeds on 25th April, and was followed by a discussion with our Planner, Andrew Wood, and then a guided tour of the Hall. You can read the minutes of the meeting here.

In this issue...

Reflection on the demise of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy, and what it could mean for the number of new houses planned in the county; advice on setting up of a Neighbourhood Forum, by our own David Cove, based on his experience in Oulton and Woodlesford; and a first piece from our new planning officer.

In this issue...

An interesting piece inviting readers to consider whether we should be 'protectionists' or 'preservationists' of our countryside; a report from the recent Annual General Meeting (AGM); and news on our involvement with Kirklees Council’s emerging Green Infrastructure delivery plan.

In this issue...

Exciting news as local campaign groups from across the county, and CPRE West Yorkshire come together to set up the Yorkshire Greenspace Alliance; John Denham discusses CPRE research that reveals the alarming scale of the threat to Green Belts in West Yorkshire; and a few words on the branch’s visit to the wildflower meadow at Brecks Farm.

In this issue...

Initial reaction to the introduction of new countrywide planning policies in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF); a warm welcome to the Localism Act, giving new powers to neighbourhoods to develop their own plans; and exciting news from down on Stirley Farm, a local open access community farm.

In this issue...

Is the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) good for the Green Belt? John Denham reports on recent events which suggest that the NPPF is failing to protect Green Belt areas in West Yorkshire; and Civic Voice show that we are not alone in thinking that looser planning controls are the not answer to our economic problems.