Aim to have Local Plan ready for public consultation by end of next year

KIRKLEES Council hopes its new Local Plan will be ready for “imperative” residents’ input by the end of next year.

- By ABIGAIL MARLOW

The Local Plan is a document, required by law, which sets out how much land can be developed and where to meet the needs of local people and businesses.

Kirklees Council’s current plan, which was adopted six years ago, is undergoing a full review after being found to be unfit for purpose. It includes some of the borough's most controversial developments, including the 4,000 home Dewsbury Riverside scheme and the 1,500 home development at Chidswell.

The local authority also needs to address its insufficient Housing Land Supply.

This is a national requirement designed to ensure that there is enough land suitable for accommodating five years’ worth of housing growth to meet local needs.