Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Director of City Development identifying a number of policies and proposals in Bradford’s Core Strategy: Further Engagement Draft 2011, which have the potential for significant impact upon Leeds, whilst also  recommending the submission of the response to Bradford’s Core Strategy, as appended to the cover report.

The Director of City Development submitted a report identifying a number of policies and proposals detailed within Bradford’s Core Strategy: Further Engagement Draft 2011, which had the potential to impact significantly upon Leeds. In addition, the report also recommended the submission of a response to Bradford’s Core Strategy, as appended to the submitted report. In determining this matter, the Board took into consideration all matters contained within the accompanying report.

Members welcomed the recommendations within the report, but highlighted that similar issues may need to be addressed in respect to other neighbouring Local Authorities’ Core Strategy documents. Responding to a specific enquiry, the Board noted that Kirklees Council’s Core Strategy was not yet at the same stage as Bradford’s and therefore the opportunity had not yet arisen to provide a response to it.

Following comments raised regarding the role which could be played by the Leeds City Region on this issue and the benefits of a cohesive approach being taken between authorities, the Chief Executive emphasised the good working relationships which existed between Leeds and Bradford and advised that further re-engagement could be made with other local authorities and on a Leeds City Region basis in addressing such matters, whilst further officer time could also be invested.

RESOLVED – That the Board formally object to Bradford’s Core Strategy: Further Engagement Draft, on the basis that:

(i)  proposals for redrawing the Green Belt boundary to enable development at Holme Wood and Menston would encroach into the strategic gap between Leeds and Bradford leading toward a merging of the two cities. 

(ii)   traffic congestion and hazards would be created to roads in Leeds, particularly the A657 and routes to Drighlington and beyond, and the A65.