Replacement Calderdale UDP : Adopted 25 August 2006 (as amended August 2009)

Replacement Calderdale UDP : Adopted 25 August 2006

• Foreword
• 1 Introduction
• 2 Calderdale in Context
  • The District of Calderdale
  • Population
  • Households
  • The Housing Stock
  • Local Economy
  • Social Profile
  • The Environment
• Strategic and Core Part One Policies
• 3 Guiding Principles and Key Themes
• 4 Employment, The Economy, Tourism and Regeneration
• 5 Housing
• 6 Retailing and Town Centres
• 7 Open Space, Sport and Recreation Facilities
• 8 The Built and Historic Environment
• 9 Transport
• 10 Infrastructure, Education and Community Facilities
• 11 Natural Environment and the Countryside
• 12 Environmental Protection
• 13 Minerals
• 14 Waste Management
• 15 Monitoring and Review of the Plan
• Annex A Privacy, Daylighting and Amenity Space
• Annex B Trees On or Adjacent to Development Sites
• Appendix 1 National Planning Policy
• Appendix 2 National Minerals Policy
• Appendix 3 Supporting Published Documents
• Appendix 4 Glossary of Terms
• Appendix 5 Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Appendix 6 Policy Topic Index
• Appendix 7 Policy Number Comparison
• Appendix 8 Supplementary Maps

The Environment

2.7 Calderdale’s environment is one of its greatest assets. About 9,666ha or 27% of the area of the District is designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and is, therefore, of national ecological or geological importance. Of this about 9,450ha is designated as a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and is of international importance. Locally important designations, called Sites of Ecological or Geological Interest (SEGIs) cover 863ha (2.4%). The Green Belt extends to 22,936ha (63%) of the Borough, whilst the quality of the landscape generally is recognised by having a Special Landscape Area designation extending to 24,075ha (66%). Common Land may be found in many parts of the Borough and covers 5,421ha (15%) where there is additional protection against inappropriate development.

Protected Open Space within the urban and rural areas amounts to about 1,673ha (5% of the District and consists principally of parks, sports fields, school playing fields, allotments, formal and informal play areas and areas of amenity value.

There are over 4,000 Listed Buildings within the District (twice the per capita level for West Yorkshire) and 19 Conservation Areas covering over 512ha. The wealth of historical structures across the District is indicative of the rich heritage that exists within the Southern Pennines area and is reflected in the ‘Heritage Strategy for the Southern Pennines’, which was adopted by the Council in 2001. That Strategy was developed following the designation of the Southern Pennines by the Countryside Agency and English Nature as a unique Countryside Character or Natural Area, that warrants a South Pennines wide, holistic approach to the management of its major heritage assets.

Protection of both the natural and built environments is very important to the future wellbeing of the District and ensuring that all development meets sustainability requirements is an important part of the Council’s Vision for Calderdale. Sustainability, in all its forms has, therefore, been a major consideration in drawing up the Replacement Plan.

Calderdale boasts a tremendous architectural heritage, including the unique 18^th Century Piece Hall and over 4,000 Listed Buildings. There is a range of cultural, recreational and entertainment facilities in different parts of the District. Across the District, there are seven museums and galleries, two cinemas and some outstanding visitor attractions including the nationally renowned children’s museum, Eureka!. The surrounding Pennine moorland provides spectacular walking country, some of it owned by the National Trust.

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