Bradford District Local Plan

The Local Plan submission documents, supporting documents and maps are available to view and respond on the consultation portal and PDF/print versions are available on this website.

A Policies Map is which shows the location of the proposed site allocations is available via pdf documents and an interactive map.

Guidance on making a representation

Before making a representation it is highly recommended that you:

• Read the Local Plan and supporting documents.
• Review the guidance on making a representation.

At this consultation stage representations (in support or object to) are focused upon whether the Local Plan is considered legally compliant and ‘sound’.

For this consultation the Council is required to use the Planning Inspectorate model representation form. The regulations require responses to be set out in a specific format and for set purposes during the specified consultation time-period. This is to inform the Planning Inspector whether you either support or object to a part of the Local Plan (paragraph / policy) Policies Map, or submission documents and any supporting planning grounds.

The Inspector will consider representations which are compliant with the regulations.

Representations should relate only to legal compliance and soundness, referring to specific policy and paragraph numbers.

A guide to the use of the model representations form is also provided by the Planning Inspectorate.

Planning Aid England also provides information about Local Plans and submitting formal representations.

Soundness

Paragraph 36 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) (2024) sets out that Plans are ‘sound’ if they are:

• Positively prepared – providing a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs; and is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development;
• Justified – an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence;
• Effective – deliverable over the plan period, and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground; and
• Consistent with national policy – enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in this Framework and other statements of national planning policy, where relevant.

Legal Compliance

Legal Compliance relates to whether the Local Plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements. Matters for consideration include:

• Has the Plan been prepared in accordance with the latest Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement?
• Is the Plan accompanied by a Sustainability Appraisal and Habitat Regulations Assessment?
• Is the Plan compliant with all relevant legal requirements including the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

Please note that this is a ‘legacy plan’ and to be examined under the National Planning Policy Framework (2024) and not the new Framework (2026).

Using the consultation portal

Comments can be submitted about the soundness and legal compliance of the plan, policy or site to ensure that the decisions we make are guided by a real appreciation of the views of the residents and people of the District.

The consultation portal requires a registration / login and is intuitive to use. Advanced features include a built in ‘summarisation tool’ to save you time on making larger representations. Once registered, you are able to draft, review and submit your comments at your convenience. This method will assist with speeding up processing and reducing administrative costs.

A video on how to use the portal is available below:

Information for emailed and paper copies

If you are an agent and / or professional submitting a representation outside the consultation portal, please note this costs the planning authority additional time and resources to process – particularly if these are large submissions and contain limited summarisation. You are strongly encouraged to use the consultation portal.

If you have a previous representor ID and are submitting a representations form via email, please ensure your ID reference is included within the subject line. This will assist with linking your representation to previous submissions and speed up processing time.

Where large submissions are made please ensure that this includes a succinct summary.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

It is becoming more common for representations to be submitted on Local Plans with the assistance of artificial intelligence technology. Within this context it is advisable to review the Planning Inspectorate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence and include with any representations a short statement on use.

The Council’s use of artificial intelligence in relation to this plan is detailed within its AI statement (supporting documents section).

Please note that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may be used to process any data you submit. Information on the use, processing and management of personal data is included in the Council’s Local Plan Privacy Notice.