‘Help us to find land for homes and businesses’
COUNCIL LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR NEW LOCATIONS AS IT UPDATES LOCAL PLAN
KIRKLEES Council is calling on the public to put forward potential sites suitable for development as it updates its Local Plan.
In November, the local authority agreed that the plan could undergo a full update as it was found to be no longer fit for purpose.
The plan sets out how much development Kirklees Council wants to achieve and where this should take place, as well as providing guidance around planning applications.
The council is on the hunt for land that could be allocated for development. It is encouraging landowners, developers and other interested parties to put forward available land that could be considered for the new plan.
It is looking for a wide variety of sites including housing, employment, commercial, and public green spaces, with a particular interest in land that can be reused or redeveloped within towns and villages or on previously developed land.
The council is also under heightened pressure to boost its supply of housing land after falling short of national requirements. Local authorities are required to have enough sites for housing development to meet housing needs for the next five years but Kirklees has just under four years’ worth.
David Shepherd, Kirklees’ strategic director for growth & regeneration, said: “Updating our Local Plan is essential for us to adapt to the changes that have taken place over the last five years. Call for Sites is a great opportunity for residents and businesses to share any sites or land that could be developed to contribute to the growth of Kirklees.
“We have a strong appreciation for any suggestions and the more, the better. Finding land or sites will bring us one step closer to not only updating our Local Plan but supporting the needs of the community, residents, and businesses.” ■■Further information on all the types of sites they are looking for and how to submit a site can be found at www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/ planning-policy/call-for-sites.aspx