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
• Strategic and Core Part One Policies
• 3 Guiding Principles and Key Themes
• 4 Employment, The Economy, Tourism and Regeneration
  • Background to Economic Policy
  • Primary Employment Areas
  • Employment Development Outside the Primary Employment Areas
  • The Need for New Employment Land
  • The Allocation of New Employment Sites
  • Mixed Use Allocations
  • Safeguarding Employment Land and Buildings
  • Office Development
  • Warehouse Development
  • Tourism Attractions and Facilities
  • Rural Diversification
  • Agricultural, Equestrian and Other Animal Based Uses
  • Regeneration of Derelict and Degraded Land and Buildings
  • The Piece Hall
• 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

Agricultural, Equestrian and Other Animal Based Uses

4.66 Whilst farming still makes a significant contribution to the economy of rural areas, the amount of agricultural land is currently reducing. However, it cannot be assumed that this trend will continue if UK food production requirements are to be met. Indeed, organic farming is growing both in terms of numbers of producers and demand, creating opportunities for further expansion. In Calderdale, the key changes in the agricultural industry over recent years have been the reduction in dairy and arable farming and the decline in the numbers of farm holdings and workers employed in full-time farming. Restructuring is likely to continue into the future.

4.67 The Council is concerned that the countryside is protected both for its own sake and for its value for food production and recreation. Once developed, restoration of land to agriculture and the re-establishment of wildlife habitats are seldom practical. PPS7 advises that the "best and most versatile agricultural land should be taken into account alongside other sustainability considerations". This relates to land in Grades 1, 2 and 3a of the Agricultural Land Classification as defined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

4.68 There is very little higher grade agricultural land in the District, although some limited areas exist to the east of the District. In accordance with Government advice, the Council will protect the best agricultural land within the District from development. Where development of agricultural land is unavoidable, areas of poorer quality land should be used in preference to higher quality land, except where other sustainability considerations suggest otherwise. These might include, for example, the quality of the landscape, its importance for biodiversity or accessibility to infrastructure or the workforce. To ensure this land is adequately safeguarded the following policy will apply (except in the case of mineral working proposals that should be assessed against Policies within Section 13):-

4.69 Farming is an important land use in the Southern Pennines and has an intrinsic value for wildlife, particularly within and adjacent to the moorlands in the west of the district. Calderdale is dominated by low grade agricultural land which is nevertheless valuable in supporting the local agricultural industry. The majority of this agricultural land falls within Grades 4 and 5 and is limited to sheep grazing on upland pasture with some beef and a little small-scale dairy farming in the valley bottoms. However, despite these areas being of low agricultural grade, the agricultural practices themselves contribute to the special character of the Pennine environment and its nature conservation value and they are therefore worthy of retention. The Heritage Strategy for the Southern Pennines (2001) indicates that the South Pennine landscape and its heritage are under increasing threat from current changing farming practices and agricultural intensification. This is leading to the loss of habitats and a degraded natural and built landscape. The Heritage Strategy seeks to maintain the unique landscape character of the Pennines. The UDP will support and assist where possible the objectives of the Heritage Strategy.

4.70 The majority of the rural area, including agricultural land is designated as either Green Belt or the Area Around Todmorden and protection is therefore afforded through Policy NE 1 ‘Development within the Green Belt’ and Policy NE 8 ‘Appropriate Development for the Area Around Todmorden’. Similarly, the Special Landscape Area designation, Policy NE 12 ‘Development Within the Special Landscape Area’, particularly in the west of the District means that new development should respect and enhance the visual quality of the area.

4.71 Many of the farm buildings are of considerable age and of traditional design and materials. It is therefore important that where the Council has planning control over agricultural and equestrian developments, through prior approval or planning permissions, every attempt should be made to achieve good standards of design. Modern agricultural buildings, by reason of their size and use of alien materials, can have a major impact on the appearance of the countryside and should be sited and designed to alleviate any harmful effects on visual amenity.

4.72 Stables and other small agricultural buildings are often found close to dwellings in outlying areas and can have an impact on visual amenity. The following Policy applies:-

4.73 Boarding and breeding facilities for dogs and cats can create amenity and health problems for occupiers of nearby property. The location of premises will be carefully considered on their merits together with detailed arrangements for the management of the facility to avoid disturbance and health problems to nearby residents, as set out below:-

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