3 Calderdale in Context

Introduction

3.1 Calderdale is one of five metropolitan districts that make up West Yorkshire (the others being Bradford, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield). It is located on the western side of the Leeds City Region and also has influences from Manchester. The dominant physical features of the District are the valley of the River Calder and its tributaries flowing from west to east together with the high Pennine Moorlands, which lie in the west.

3.2 The area of the District is about 36,200ha (140 sq miles). About 63% of the District is in the Green Belt, whilst a further 23% or so is predominantly high level moorland in the area around Todmorden. Some 9,667ha (over 26%) is protected as being of European and international importance (Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation).

3.3 Calderdale's towns and countryside are very attractive and this has resulted in Calderdale being a place where, increasingly, people want to live. The essential concern of the Council, in line with its corporate vision and objectives, is the need to balance sustainable growth, development, regeneration and physical change in a manner that protects and enhances the urban and rural environment within a sustainable framework that balances economic, social and environmental priorities. It is these influences that have strongly influenced plan-making in the District in the past.

3.4 Some facts about Calderdale: -

  • Location: in the County of West Yorkshire, lying between Leeds/Bradford to the east and County of Greater Manchester to the west;

  • Rail Services: provided on the Caldervale Line with direct services to: Leeds, Bradford, Selby & York; Rochdale & Manchester; Huddersfield & Wakefield; Burnley, Blackburn, Preston and Blackpool;

  • Road Links: the Trans-Pennine Motorway (M62) provides fast travel opportunities towards the west and east coasts and the main north/south links (M1 and M6). The A646 Calder Valley road, formerly a trunk road, links the towns within the District and neighbouring towns such as Rochdale, Oldham, and Burnley (where access to the M65 can also be gained). The road network within West Yorkshire provides links to the neighbouring towns and the employment/service opportunities that they provide.

  • Air Services: Manchester International Airport (MAN) and Leeds/Bradford International Airport (LBA) are within about an hours drive. Doncaster/Sheffield Robin Hood International Airport (DSA) and Liverpool (John Lennon International) (LPL) are about an hour and a half to two hours drive. There are no direct rail services to Manchester Airport from Calderdale, although by changing in Manchester or Huddersfield one-change journeys can be made.

3.5 The following sections of this chapter contain some key contextual information on population, housing and employment in Calderdale. The Spatial Atlas is a separate LDF evidence base document that brings together a wider range of geographic information on the social, economic and environmental characteristics of the borough and is a useful reference document for further information.