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 Final Report [PDF file 1253KB]|

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 1518KB]|

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

The Regional Spatial Strategy for Yorkshire and the Humber requires Local Development Frameworks to define a hierarchy of green infrastructure:

• identify and require the retention and provision of substantial connected networks of green infrastructure;
• ensure policies have regard to the economic and social as well as environmental benefits of green infrastructure assets;
• and identify the functional role of green infrastructure in supporting the provision of renewable energy, urban microclimate control and flood risk management.

The Green Infrastructure review will set out a vision, aims, objectives and planning policy framework for Green Infrastructure in Calderdale. It will provide an evidence base for informing LDF policies as well as providing guidance for future Green Infrastructure investment and enhancement. This includes, for example, promoting and improving recreational trails, contributing to urban regeneration and enhancing green spaces for wildlife.

Status - Commenced January 2009.

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.

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 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 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.

Status - Complete January 2009. See Flood risk .

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

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.

Sites from a range of sources were assessed including those resulting from the Site Submissions exercise, where interested parties such as landowners and developers informed the Council of potential development sites for the Local Development Framework (LDF). To see the results of this exercise, use the Site submissions search.

Status – Published October 2009. See Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment

Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA)

This study will estimate housing need and demand for both market and affordable housing across the district. It will also consider future demographic trends and identify the accommodation requirements of specific groups such as first time buyers and older people. The research will support the authority in developing a strategic approach to housing by assessing the key drivers and relationships within the housing market. The Study will provide the bulk of the evidence required for local authorities to appraise strategic housing options and to ensure the most appropriate and cost-effective use of public funds.

It is to be undertaken by consultants in order to both take advantage of their specialist knowledge and to provide an impartial view of housing needs in the district. The study is programmed to be completed Summer 2010.

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 next stage of the SA process is to inform the development of the Core Strategy Options, Objectives and Policies. The results of the SA process will be reported on in a final SA report, which will be published alongside the 'Core Strategy Further Options' consultation in 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.