3 Guiding Principles and Key Themes

Introduction

3.1 Calderdale Council’s Vision Statement (June 2006) builds upon the work of the Community Strategy 2006 by setting an ambition which seeks :

“.... to make Calderdale a clean, safe, attractive and thriving area for individuals and families to enjoy as residents, workers or visitors.”

The appropriate use of land plays a key role in the attainment of this ambition.

3.2 The aim of this Section is to establish a clear and coherent strategy for the UDP within the context of the Community Strategy framework. The overall objectives of the Plan are based on promoting economic, social and environmental wellbeing within the context of sustainable development. Whilst the Plan is primarily a land use strategy, its policies are interrelated with wider socio-economic and environmental considerations. In particular, the success of the strategy will depend on the sustainable revitalisation of those parts of the District affected by decline, both socially and economically, along with the protection of those parts of the District that are worthy of retention. The UDP also recognises the direct relationship between environmental quality and levels of economic activity and social regeneration.

3.3 Key strategic choices have already been made for many issues. It is the role of the UDP to develop land use policies which carry these forward in a consistent way. The Community Strategy focuses on a series of priorities. These are identified in Table 3.1 below along with a summary of how these priorities will be met through the application of the UDP policies.

Table 3.1 Community Strategy Priorities and Attainment within the Replacement UDP
Community Strategy Priority
SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT

Attainment of Priorities through UDP Policies

  • Provision of a range of employment sites.
  • Support for employment generating development.
  • Protection of existing employment land.
  • Stimulation of economic regeneration.
  • Promoting the vitality and viability of the District’s town centres.
  • Promotion of tourism and rural diversification.
  • Promotion of public transport.
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

Attainment of Priorities through UDP Policies

  • Protection, enhancement and provision of access to a diverse range of leisure opportunities, such as open space, local facilities and the countryside for all to enjoy a healthy lifestyle.
  • Provision of affordable homes and accessible housing to meet the District’s housing needs.
  • Consideration of residential and other amenity within development proposals.
  • Promotion of community safety through ‘designing out crime’ measures in new development.
  • Protection of air quality and other pollution controls.
  • Promotion of cycling and walking as transport modes.
  • Support for new medical, dental and health facilities.
  • Traffic management to improve road safety.
  • Promotion of housing renewal areas and other means of improving the housing stock.
SAFE COMMUNITIES

Attainment of Priorities through UDP Policies

  • Promotion of community safety through ‘designing out crime’ measures in new development.
  • Traffic management to improve road safety.
LIFELONG LEARNING

Attainment of Priorities through UDP Policies

  • Co-ordination of school land and building requirements to ensure educational needs can be met.
  • Promotion of school facilities for wider community use.
A GOOD ENVIRONMENT AND STABLE COMMUNITY

Attainment of Priorities through UDP Policies

  • Management and control of waste.
  • Promotion of public transport, cycling and walking.
  • Promotion of Green Transport Plans.
  • Provision of community and rural transport.
  • Maintaining the viability and vitality of town centres.
  • Provision and protection of open space and sports and recreation facilities.
  • Protection of natural resources such as air, water and energy sources.
  • Protection of the heritage and landscape etc.
  • Involvement of the public in the UDP process.
  • Promotion of high quality design within development schemes.
  • Giving priority to the development of previously used land.
  • Promotion of the refurbishment and re-use of vacant or underused buildings.
  • Provision of a mix of house types and sizes within new housing developments, including affordable housing.
  • Ensuring the efficient use of land resources through the achievement of suitable housing densities.

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