The Council is in the process of preparing a new Local Plan which will replace the current statutory development plan for Bradford District (the Replacement Unitary Development Plan) which was adopted in 2005.

The first of the Local Plan documents is the Core Strategy which sets out the strategic approach to managing development and change to 2030.  It was submitted for Examination in December 2014 with Hearings held in March 2015. Proposed modifications were published in November 2015 and resumed hearings held in May 2016.

The Council has now received the Inspector’s final Report and recommendations. The Inspector has considered all the matters before him including the plan, the evidence underpinning it, and the objections and representations made and the published modifications. In his report he concludes that the Plan can be considered to be legally compliant and sound, providing a limited set of Main Modifications are made to the plan, as submitted.

The purpose of the report of the Strategic Director Place (Document “C”) is for the Executive to note the contents of the Inspector’s report and to seek authority to proceed to Full Council to request the legal adoption of the modified Core Strategy in line with the Inspector’s recommendation. 

Recommended -

(1)       That the Executive is recommended to note the contents of this report and contents of the Inspector’s Report and recommend that Full Council formally adopt the          Core Strategy as approved by Full Council on December 2013 and submitted to the government for examination with the Main Modifications contained in Appendix 1, as proposed by the Inspector pursuant to Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

(2)       That the Assistant Director (Planning Transportation and Highways) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder be authorised to make other minor amendments of redrafting or of a similar nature as may be necessary prior to formal publication.

(Environment & Waste Management Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

(Andrew Marshall – 01274 434050)

The Council was in the process of preparing a new Local Plan which would replace the current statutory development plan for Bradford District (the Replacement Unitary Development Plan) which was adopted in 2005.

The first of the Local Plan documents was the Core Strategy which set out the strategic approach to managing development and change to 2030.  It was submitted for Examination in December 2014 with Hearings held in March 2015. Proposed modifications were published in November 2015 and resumed hearings held in May 2016.

The Council had now received the Inspector’s final Report and recommendations. The Inspector had considered all the matters before him including the plan, the evidence underpinning it, and the objections and representations made and the published modifications. In his report he concluded that the Plan could be considered to be legally compliant and sound, providing a limited set of Main Modifications were made to the plan, as submitted.

The purpose of the report of the Strategic Director Place (Document “C”) was for the Executive to note the contents of the Inspector’s report and to seek authority to proceed to Full Council to request the legal adoption of the modified Core Strategy in line with the Inspector’s recommendation. 

It was noted that at the instigation of a local MP, a temporary holding Direction was issued by the Minister for State (Housing and Planning) in October 2016.  Following consideration of the matters raised by the MP the holding direction was formally withdrawn on 23 March 2017 and he had decided not to intervene in the Core Strategy. 

The Leader made reference to Bradford being the city with the youngest population in the UK and stressed that the Core Strategy would act as a blue print to shape the future of the district over the next 15 years.

The Environment, Sport and Culture Portfolio Holder commended the strategy which encompassed such areas as green spaces, flood management, enhanced biodiversity and tree cover and enhancing the local environment and cultural heritage of the district.

The Education, Employment and Skills Portfolio Holder noted that the Strategy allowed the authority to plan the provision of school places more effectively.  He welcomed the number of employment sites that had been included which would help to create jobs and improve the local economy and regeneration of the district.

The Regeneration, Planning and Transport Portfolio Holder referred to the shortage of housing in the district and emphasised the prioritisation of brown field development and targeting of empty homes.  He noted that there were not enough brown field sites to meet demand and that it was more difficult to bring sites into development due to pressures on finance.  He added that a small amount of green belt had been released which only amounted to 2% of the total green belt in the district.  He emphasised that the Core Strategy allowed the authority to identify the most appropriate areas of green belt to developed.  He expressed disappointment at the delay caused by the temporary holding Direction.

The Leader expressed a desire to see central government investment in Bradford to develop brown field sites.

Resolved -

(1)       That the contents of Document “C” and contents of the Inspector’s Report be noted and that it be recommend that Full Council formally adopt the Core Strategy as approved by Full Council on December 2013 and submitted to the government for examination with the Main Modifications contained in Appendix 1 to Document “C”, as proposed by the Inspector pursuant to Section 23 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

(2)       That the Assistant Director (Planning Transportation and Highways) in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder be authorised to make other minor amendments of redrafting or of a similar nature as may be necessary prior to formal publication.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

                        City Solicitor (for reference to Council)

(Environment & Waste Management Overview & Scrutiny Committee)