Council unveils draft plan for 34,000 homes

A draft Local Plan setting out where almost 34,000 homes could be built across Bradford district by 2043 has been published.

The 1,290-page document identifies sites for up to 33,670 homes and more than 272 acres (110 hectares) of employment land, including locations in Manningham, Shipley and near Forster Square Retail Park.

The plan, which has been delayed for several years, will go out to public consultation later this month before being considered by councillors.

Deputy council leader Andrew Judson said it would give the authority a "much greater ability to shape where development happens and to resist inappropriate development".

Bradford Council said around 70% of the proposed housing sites were in urban areas, although some green belt land would also be released to meet housing and employment needs.

The authority said this would affect about 1.17% of the district's total green belt area.

The absence of an up-to-date plan has been a long-running issue for the Reform UK-led authority, making it harder to steer development and refuse some major planning applications.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service an earlier version of the Local Plan was published in 2021 but was never adopted.

One major change since the previous draft is progress on plans for a mass transit system linking Bradford and Leeds.

Planning documents state the scheme could make Bradford city centre a "highly attractive location for significant investment and development".

The plan, which would guide housing and employment development across the district over the next 17 years, is set to be considered by the council's executive on 15 October.

If approved, a six-week consultation will run from 19 October to 30 November, allowing residents, businesses and organisations to submit formal comments.

The plan would then be considered by full council before being submitted to the government for independent examination.

Judson, the council's executive member for economy, regeneration and planning, said: "This plan seeks to strike the right balance.

"We need more homes, including affordable homes, land for businesses to grow and invest, and the infrastructure needed to support our communities.

"At the same time, we need to protect the green spaces, landscapes, heritage and natural environment that make our district special."

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