Key infrastructure improvements in south east Calderdale are being discussed by the Council’s Cabinet at the meeting on Monday 11 March 2024.
In line with the Council’s priority for thriving towns and places, the Cabinet will consider two reports relating to south east Calderdale, which aim to support economic growth, bring opportunities for local people and businesses, and build on the significant level of aspiration in the borough.
As part of work to develop new sustainable growth opportunities in and around Brighouse, the Council is prioritising the delivery of a new link road providing a direct route between Clifton Common (A643) and Wakefield Road (A644).
The link road would be a key step in highway network improvement and would support Local Plan objectives such as the proposed Clifton Business Park and the planned Thornhills Garden Community, located immediately to the north west of the site. It would help to reduce congestion around Brighouse town centre and contribute to the diversion away from Brighouse of heavy goods vehicles from the adjacent Armytage Road employment area.
Members of Cabinet are now being asked to agree in principle to the use of a Compulsory Purchase Order to ensure the plans for the link road and associated benefits can go ahead.
Compulsory purchase powers would only be used as a last resort, as efforts will continue to negotiate land purchase settlements.
The link road would be located at the site of the proposed Clifton Business Park, also supporting access to the site and complementing the planned walking and cycling routes in the area.
The Council has a longstanding ambition to transform a large site in Clifton, near Brighouse into a regionally significant business park, to create 1,300 jobs and bring major benefits for Calderdale and West Yorkshire.
The Council has been seeking funds to make the site viable for sustainable development. As part of this work, Cabinet is also asked to agree to the submission of a bid for funding to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Employment Land Accelerator Fund.
A bid for over £600,000 would fund the next stages of work for the Clifton Business Park, supporting the next collaboration stage of the project, working closely with an appointed developer partner.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Active Travel and Housing, Cllr Scott Patient, said:
“The development of south east Calderdale is part of our ambition for the borough, helping to deliver sustainable growth, supporting the Local Plan, and boosting economic opportunity.
“We want to unlock the potential of this part of the borough with employment sites, high-quality homes and critical transport infrastructure. We’re looking at the process for making these plans a reality, with Cabinet considering funding opportunities and necessary processes to enable delivery of key infrastructure.”
The reports relating to the Clifton link road and the Business Park will be discussed at the meeting of Calderdale Council’s Cabinet on Monday 11 March 2024, at Halifax Town Hall from 3pm. The meeting can also be viewed online at https://calderdale.public-i.tv/core/portal/home(external link)
ENDS