Calderdale Council is consulting on proposals by a local group to set up a neighbourhood forum to help shape planning and development in its local area.
The group in Park ward has applied to the Council to be named as the formal neighbourhood forum. If approved, this would give the group powers to create a Neighbourhood Development Plan and Neighbourhood Development Orders for the ward, which the Council would use to help determine planning applications once they are fully approved.
These powers are under the Localism Act 2011. Neighbourhood Development Plans were introduced by the Government through this Act. When these community-produced plans have been assessed and consulted on in the local area, they are ‘made’ by the local planning authority and become part of the borough’s development plan.
The Council is seeking views from local residents and organisations, particularly from Park ward, about the applications for both the neighbourhood forum and the proposed area for a Neighbourhood Development Plan.
The six-week consultation started on Friday 13 June 2014 and ends on Tuesday 15 July 2014.
Neighbourhood forums are different from ward forums – ward forums are held by the Council and are separate from neighbourhood forums.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Environment, Cllr Barry Collins, said:
“This application is a ground-breaker for Calderdale. It’s great that the Park ward group is so keen to play a big part in how its local area is developed. First though, we must find out what local people and businesses think about their proposal, so we’re now consulting and will use the feedback to help make a decision.”
All comments must be made in writing and can be made via the Park Ward Neighbourhood Development Plan(external link) page on the Council’s website (www.calderdale.gov.uk), or sent direct to Planning and Highways Services in Westgate House, Halifax, HX1 1PS.
The Council will take into account all the feedback received, and it will be considered by Cabinet in autumn.
For more information visit the Neighbourhood development plans page.