Core Strategy DPD
4 Video production
Core Strategy Further Engagement Draft - film transcript
This film is about planning for the future of our District.
It explains how land and resources might be best used to support our district's economy: encouraging investment and jobs, delivering new homes, developing important infrastructure and improving facilities.
The Local Development Framework draft core strategy proposes to manage development and growth in a sustainable way that benefits residents and the local economy. It complements the completed district economic strategy and local economic assessment, housing strategy and community strategy.
The draft core strategy is the latest stage in a long and detailed process which will set the broad policies that determine future use of land for housing, employment, health and wellbeing, education, leisure, transport and infrastructure purposes through to 2028.
Widespread consultation was held in 2007 and 2008 to consider the issues and options for how the District could plan to meet its needs over the next 15 to 20 years. These consultations have informed the development of the draft strategy.
This film is just one way of finding out more about the draft strategy - there are leaflets and reports available to read in libraries and planning offices, and online.
Having seen the film and read background documents you may wish to make comment.
Individual people, community groups, local businesses and organisations will be able to have their say on the proposals through formal consultation and public meetings. At the end of the film we explain how you can make your views known.
Over the next fifteen minutes, we set out how the ways in which the draft strategy proposes that the district could be allowed to develop.
Drawing up a core strategy is an essential step in planning for the future of Bradford District. It gives an overview, a big picture of how the district could grow.
A core strategy itself does not allocate specific sites for development. It aims to establish the principles that will guide planning decisions up to 2028.
Bradford Council must produce a core strategy, without it the government would step in to plan for the future of the district or developers would have free rein to propose sites for development.
Councillor Val Slater
Portfolio Holder for Change Programme, Housing and Planning
With a Development Plan we can actually control and co-ordinate development requests and it strengthens any requests we make towards investment for infrastructure.
Bradford District covers 143 square miles and has both urban and rural areas. Bradford District has the third largest economy in the Yorkshire and Humber region and there is a need to grow existing businesses and attract inward investment.
Currently an estimated 512,600 people live here. By 2028 it is predicted that 616,000 people may be living here. In the draft core strategy we need to set out how Bradford District can best plan to meet the need for homes, jobs, industrial, retail and commercial space, schools, transport and leisure facilities and open spaces.
The draft Core Strategy must look at the whole picture - it must allocate land for industry and employment. The draft identifies several regeneration areas, most notably Bradford city centre, the Canal Road corridor, and Airedale.
The District has numerous advantages. It has a young workforce and can capitalise on this to attract new investment. It enjoys good transport links and has already attracted national distribution and logistics companies. It is close enough to commute to other regional centres of employment and it has some outstanding landscapes and heritage.
The plans, outlined in the draft core strategy, take advantage of regional and national transport networks and allow for the improvement of the public transport service.
The draft Core Strategy also includes details of how the district's waste can be managed.
The draft Core Strategy needs to be based on robust evidence of potential population growth. Current government estimates indicate that up to 45,000 new homes could be needed.
Councillor Slater - Slot 2
People are naturally going to be concerned about the potential impacts on green fields and open space. The policies in the draft plan are designed to minimise the use of green field and open spaces.
Brownfield sites will be prioritised and where we use brownfield sites we will make sure there is higher density of building.
It is important that we get the right homes, in the right places for the right price, but at the same time we need to get a balance between meeting housing need and protecting our quality landscape and open spaces. Only at the very last will greenfields and open spaces be brought forward.
Bradford District has a large amount of countryside, which is much valued by local people. The draft Core Strategy sets out to protect the balance between the need for economic growth and the natural environment. The landscape is also an economic asset, and tourism brings money to the district.
In planning terms the district is divided into settlements. In summary these are: the city centre, the principal towns, villages or Local Growth Centres and finally the smaller villages or Local Service Centres.
Most of the new homes planned for the district over the period, 28,000, are expected to be built in what's called the Regional City of Bradford, which includes Shipley, and Lower Baildon. A proportion of these new homes would be classed as 'affordable', particularly aimed at first-time buyers.
In order to build the quantity of new homes that will be needed the draft core strategy includes ambitious but achievable plans for increased housing in Canal Road Corridor as well as Bradford City Centre. Further redevelopment and reuse of urban land is anticipated within established residential areas to meet housing and regeneration needs.
The Leeds / Bradford corridor, and the South-East are expected to play a key role in the future economic development of the district. Infrastructure improvements are identified, including four new railway stations which are expected to be built, as well as open space and green infrastructure.
Keighley, Bingley and Ilkley are described as principal towns in Bradford District. These three towns would be expected to absorb some new development, including new homes. The plan is to allow up to 7,900 new homes in these towns in the longer term.
Local Growth Centres are settlements that could expect a lower number of new homes than the principal towns. The plan is to allow 6,100 homes in these Local Growth Centres over the period. These are settlements that can grow in a relatively sustainable way with the right investment.
Transport links, the existing settlement pattern and facilities, the balance of the community, and how much land could be made available have all been considered. The aim is to help make communities more sustainable, in part by increasing the supply of affordable homes, but also by giving local facilities a boost.
The final tier of settlements are the Local Service Centres. These are expected to grow over the period but only slowly. The plan is to allow 3,500 homes at this level. This will allow some change, with an eye to rural diversification, but their distinctive character should remain.
The plan is to ensure that communities remain independent with their own economic development and job prospects. The Council does, and will continue to work with others to try to ensure the District's housing needs are met.
Councillor Slater - Slot 3
The Council is playing its part and has recently launched its own house building programme - Pavilion Gardens in West Bowling where 45 quality and sustainable houses were provided.
This quality development is a template for sustainable, affordable and quality homes that we ought to introduce in the District.
Next year, Beech Grove which is another 50 homes will also be completed.
The Core Strategy includes details of how the flood plain can be maintained safely, and also how the district's natural environment can be protected - with the principle of green infrastructure or green corridors being applied across the district.
Green spaces are linking and protecting our existing open landscape. We will identify new areas to be designated open spaces. There are policies to manage built heritage and improve the quality of design in future developments.
Where can I find out more?
You are welcome to view the plans in person at:
Bradford Council Planning Office, Britannia House, Bradford.
And the Town Halls at Ilkley, Keighley and Shipley.
The main libraries at Shipley, Bingley and Keighley, or you can always telephone the team on 01274 433679.
Please email comments to planning.policy@bradford.gov.uk with 'Core Strategy' as the title.
Or you can post comments to:
Planning Policy
4th Floor
Britannia House
Bradford
BD1 1HX