Evidence Base

Amenity Land Review

The Amenity Land Review will address amenity open space sites and survey these in accordance with National Government Guidance. This study goes beyond the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy and Action Plan, which has already been completed. The study will build on existing data and information held by the Council, to provide a comprehensive needs assessment and strategy relating to Amenity Open Space in Calderdale, alongside the Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy and Action Plan.

Calderdale Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy and Action Plan

The Council appointed consultants Knight Kavanagh Page to carry out an assessment of open space in the District. Policies for open space, sport and recreation are underpinned by the research, analysis and recommendations of the following document:-

Open Space, Sport and Recreation Strategy and Action Plan [PDF file 368KB]|

The action plan highlights key issues emerging from a detailed assessment of the quality and distribution of open space provision across the District.

The results of the assessment and recommendations within the Action Plan are used to set provision standards; develop formulae to support the calculation of developer contributions; identify surplus land; and inform policy.

The action plan was completed in September 2006.

Employment Land Review

The Council commissioned consultants (Roger Tym & Partners) to carry out a study of the current employment land in the District. The review provides information concerning the need for new employment sites within Calderdale and whether the existing sites are fit for current and future purposes.

Employment Land Review Summary [PDF file 337KB]|

Employment Land Review Final Report [PDF file 2150KB]|

The review included a workshop with Council Officers & Councillors, Developers, Agents and Businesses in March 2008, alongside a survey of businesses, in order to identify how the current provision of employment land meets the needs of employers.

Status - The study was complete December 2008.

Green Belt Review

The Council has begun a Green Belt Review to inform the LDF. The purpose of the review is to establish whether the current designation is meeting the national green belt policy purpose, and establish the areas where the boundaries of the Green Belt may need to be amended.

Once complete the review will provide an understanding of the current strengths and weaknesses of the existing Green Belt within Calderdale and provide a strong defensible Green Belt Boundary for the foreseeable future.

Consultation has now been completed upon the review methodology.

Green Belt Review Methodology Consultation [PDF file 513KB]|

The Comments and Feedback are now available:

Green Belt Review Methodology Comments and Feedback [PDF file 1519KB]|

The next stage of the review will be to identify strategic areas of change to the current Green Belt boundary.

Status - Consultation upon methodology complete January 2009.

Green Infrastructure

At the sub-regional scale, the Leeds City Region has published- a Green Infrastructure Strategy to ensure that future growth is underpinned and supported by high quality green infrastructure. As such, the strategy will sit alongside the other core city region initiatives such as Housing & Regeneration, Employment & Skills, Economic Drivers & Innovation and Transport, to drive sustainable economic growth.

Leeds City Region Green Infrastructure Strategy 

Foreword and Contents [PDF file 310KB]|
Introduction [PDF file 829KB]|
Green Infrastructure in the Leeds City Region [PDF file 775KB]|
Objectives and Initiatives [PDF file 7175KB]|
Delivering the Strategy [PDF file 468KB]|
References [PDF file 193KB]|

Status - Leeds City Region Green Infrastructure Strategy published September 2010.

Housing Requirements Report

Shaping the Housing Future of Calderdale - Housing Requirements Report [PDF file 1797KB]|
This study was undertaken for the Council by GVA in response to the ongoing national Government proposals to revoke housing targets set at the regional scale whilst encouraging local authorities to establish locally derived housing requirements underpinned by a robust evidence base.

It tests a number of scenarios and sensitivities in order to explore the drivers of household change within Calderdale. These can be broadly grouped into demographic drivers, economic drivers and supply / development drivers of population and household change. The study concludes with a number of recommendations arising from the analysis including the parameters within which policy should set an appropriate housing requirement for Calderdale.

Status - Completed November 2011

Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development for the South Pennines

This study was undertaken by Julie Martin Associates on behalf of six local planning authorities in the South Pennines; namely Burnley, Bury, Calderdale, Kirklees, Rochdale and Rossendale. The overall aim was to provide a landscape capacity study for wind energy developments, to inform and provide a sound evidence base for the production and monitoring of the Local Development Frameworks in the six districts, including the cumulative effects of such developments.

Following a baseline assessment introducing the landscape of the South Pennines, the study reviews the distribution of existing wind energy developments. The report explains the methodology followed, including the spatial framework for the analysis, and provides broad guidance on the relative sensitivity of the various landscape types found within the study area, together with indicative advice on the landscape capacity of different parts of the study area. 

The report does not identify specific sites for wind energy development. Every development proposal is unique, requiring detailed consideration of the landscape and visual impacts including the siting, layout and design which is undertaken through individual planning applications.

 Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Development for the South Pennines Summary [PDF file 190KB]|

Landscape Capacity Study for Wind Energy Developments in the South Pennines [PDF file 6726KB]|

Status  - The study was completed January 2010.

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Study

The Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Study was undertaken by Maslen Environmental on behalf of Burnley Borough Council, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Pendle Borough Council and Rossendale Borough Council. Within the area covered by the 5 Partnership Councils the study explores the opportunities for delivering renewable and low carbon energy. The potential technologies and sources of renewable energy which are assessed through a capacity assessment include wind, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, heat pumps, biomass combustion and hydro.

Please note: Some of these PDF files are large. Consequently, they will take a while to download.

To assess how long they will take to download visit Filesize Download Speed Calculator |

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Study Final Report [PDF file 1085KB]|

Five Councils Figures [PDF file 8591KB]|

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Study Calderdale Figures [PDF file 11871KB]|

Appendix [PDF file 213KB]|

Case Studies:

Case Study - Blackshaw Head [PDF file 131KB]|
Case Study - Burnley [PDF file 273KB]|
Case Study - Calderdale [PDF file 185KB]|
Case Study - Carrs Industrial Estate [PDF file 161KB]|
Case Study - Every Road [PDF file 264KB]|
Case Study - Kirklees [PDF file 284KB]|
Case Study - Pendle [PDF file 181KB]|
Case Study - Rossendale [PDF file 232KB]|

Status  - The study was completed September 2010.

Retail Needs Assessment Study

This study has been commissioned and undertaken by consultants to help inform the District's current and future needs for retail development. It also provides an up to date picture on the health (vitality and viability) of Calderdale's town centres.

Retail Needs Assessment Study Summary [PDF file 114KB]|

Status - Complete September 2009. See Retail needs study.

Settlement Hierarchy

The Settlement Hierarchy provides detailed evidence regarding the availability of services and facilities throughout the District and identify the relative sustainability of different settlements and areas within the Calderdale. It was undertaken by staff within Calderdale Council. An initial consultation exercise upon the proposed methodology was undertaken with selected bodies. In addition questionnaires were available to everybody, and in the summer 2008 issue of 'Talkback', to assess views on which services and facilities are considered essential. This initial consultation was completed in June 2008.

A second period of consultation to finalise the methodology was completed in January 2009. This consultation included:-

Settlement Hierarchy Model Summary [PDF file 162KB]|

Settlement Hierarchy Methodology Consultation [PDF file 1120KB]|

The results from the consultation are available:-

Settlement Hierarchy Methodology Comments and Feedback [PDF file 1691KB]|

The final Settlement Hierarchy Methodology and Settlement Hierarchy Results are now available:-

Settlement Hierarchy Methodology: November 2009 [PDF file 705KB]|
Settlement Hierarchy Results: November 2009 [PDF file 455KB]|

The Settlement Hierarchy Results will be periodically updated to take account of changing service provision.

Status - Complete

Spatial Atlas

Under the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, a Local Authorities' vision for an area, and the future of its local places and spaces, should be based on sound evidence of its social, economic and environmental characteristics.

The Spatial Atlas therefore serves to highlight the main issues and challenges that currently exist within the borough. It brings together key geographic information, displayed graphically, to help improve our understanding of how Calderdale places currently function and inter-relate.

The Spatial Atlas is intended to act as a reference document for LDF matters and will therefore be periodically updated at key stages of the LDF process. This will help ensure that the most effective future strategies and planning policies are put into place.

Version 1 of the Spatial Atlas was completed in November 2009 and is now available:

Spatial Atlas Summary [PDF file 107KB]|

Spatial Atlas v1: Main Report [PDF file 2561KB]|
Spatial Atlas v1, Appendix A: Detailed Ward and Lower Super Output Area Maps [PDF file 1864KB]|
Spatial Atlas v1, Appendix B: Sustainability Appraisal and Spatial Atlas links [PDF file 51KB]|
Spatial Atlas v1, Appendix C: Data Sources [PDF file 22KB]|

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment

Jointly undertaken in association with Kirklees and Wakefield, the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) for the River Calder.

Strategic Flood Risk Assessment Summary [PDF file 114KB]|

Status - Complete January 2009. See Flood risk .

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) - First Review

This Assessment was undertaken by the Council in consultation with a Working Group of relevant stakeholders and explores the potential of the district to meet its housing requirements.

New sites from a range of sources including those resulting from the Site Submissions (Call for Sites) exercise were assessed whilst some existing sites were re-assessed to reflect additional information received during the review year. 

Site submissions search.  

Status – Published March 2011. See Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)

This study estimates housing need and demand for both market and affordable housing across the district. It also considers future demographic trends and identifies the housing needs of specific groups such as first time buyers and older people. The research supports the Council in developing a strategic approach to housing by assessing the key drivers and relationships within the housing market. The Study provides the bulk of the evidence required for the Council to appraise strategic housing options and to ensure the most appropriate and cost-effective use of public funds.

It was undertaken by consultants GVA in order to both take advantage of their specialist knowledge and to provide an impartial view of housing needs in the district.

Status – Completed April 2011. See Strategic Housing Market Assessment

Sustainability Appraisal (Incorporating the Strategic Environmental Assessment)

The purpose of the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is to identify and report on the likely significant, social, economic and environmental impacts of a planning document throughout its preparation, so that decisions can be made that accord with the objectives of sustainable development.

Status - Consultation took place in autumn 2008. The Scoping Report and Comments and Feedback are available:-

Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report [PDF file 328KB]|
Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report Comments and Feedback [PDF file 1946KB]|

The main part of the SA is referred to as the ‘Sustainability Appraisal Framework’.  Following comments received during the consultation, the SA Framework was largely established.  The SA Framework has been further amended to incorporate relevant elements of Calderdale’s Health Impact Assessment (HIA), to ensure the potential impact of developments proposed through the Core Strategy or Land Allocations and Designations DPDs on the health of the population are assessed formally through the SA. The updated SA Framework is available:- Sustainability Appraisal Framework - January 2011 [PDF file 119KB]|

The SA Report will be published for consultation alongside the Core Strategy 'Preferred Options' in 2012. This will report on the assessment of the various policies and objectives and document the process.

Transport Study

This Transport Study considers the impact of development options on Calderdale's strategic highway network.

 Transport Study [PDF file 5734KB]|

Status - Complete January 2010

Other Evidence

In addition to evidence produced specifically for the Local Development Framework other sources of data and evidence are available. For example, some maps within the Spatial Atlas are based on Latest Statistics for population, deprivation and employment; and  Natural England| provide data on biodiversity.

The Sustainable Community Strategy| and the evidence collected for its production will also be key components of the Local Development Framework evidence base.