Calderdale hints at local plan adjustments
The newly elected leader of the Reform-led council has signalled that Green Belt sites currently allocated for housing could be reviewed as part of next year’s assessment of the local plan.
Cllr Dan Sutherland has been Leader of Calderdale Council since May, when Reform won control in the elections. Prior to that, he was a Labour member.
Calderdale’s current plan was approved in 2023, and identifies land for around 10,000 homes.
In particular, two garden village sites near Brighouse, at Thornhill and Woodhouse, have been allocated space for thousands of homes between them.
As well as Brighouse, Green Belt sites around Hipperholme, Northowram, Rastrick, Greetland, and Shelf are earmarked for residential development.
In a video posted to the council’s Facebook account, Cllr Sutherland said: “Many Green Belt sites are proposed for the development of new housing and other constructions.
“But more recent evidence has shown that the population of Calderdale is not growing.
“We will be looking at how we can review those sites, where possible remove some of those sites, from the Local Plan and focus on building housing that is actually appropriate for the needs of local people.
“Extra care sites, bungalows, these developments will free up family homes for those who need them – it’s about the right type of housing in the right places.”
