Decision details

A formal ‘review’ of whether the Kirklees Local Plan remains fit for purpose must be published within 5 years of Local Plan adoption (by February 2024) as required by Regulation 10A of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The decision to commence a review of the Local Plan was delegated to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration.

The Kirklees Local Plan review will be assessed using an assessment template produced by the Planning Advisory Service. This is being used nationally by other authorities. The outcomes of the review will determine whether there is no requirement to update the Local Plan or whether a partial or full review is required. 

The outcomes of the review will be presented to Cabinet for ratification. A decision to proceed with an update of the Local Plan is a Full Council decision.

The launch of the Local Plan review was communicated through the following ways:

·         Kirklees Together: We’re reviewing the Kirklees Local Plan - Kirklees Together

·         All social media platforms

·         Local press: Examiner Series, Dewsbury Reporter

At the point that an update of the Local Plan is approved, statutory requirements (as outlined at Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012) require early engagement of “specific” and “general” consultation bodies, residents, and businesses.

RESOLVED –

1)    That the findings and recommendations of the internal officer review of the fitness of the Kirklees Local Plan (as outlined in Appendix 1 of the considered report) be ratified and the council’s reasons and decisions be published on its website.

2)    That a recommendation be made to Council that a full update of the Kirklees Local Plan commence (following current statutory local plan processes with the process to be reviewed following confirmation of the government’s proposed planning reforms).

3)    That authority be given to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration to prepare a Local Development Scheme (programme to produce development plan documents) with a completed LDS presented to a future meeting of Cabinet for approval and publication.

4)    That authority be given to the Strategic Director Growth and Regeneration to commence the preparation of a revised Statement of Community Involvement and to consult on a draft document.

5)    That a final Statement of Community Involvement be presented at a future meeting for approval and publication.