Planning and land use

Land Use Planning is one of the most important tools Kirklees Council have to support climate change adaptation and protect and enhance the districts natural environment.
Planning frameworks can positively contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation by requiring things such as:-

• more energy efficient buildings, 
• Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) which reduce run off from development reducing flood risk and help improve water quality,
• Green Travel Plans, and
• Verifiable Environmental Standards such as the Code for Sustainable Homes or BREEAM assessments (the Environmental Assessment Method For Buildings Around The World)

Kirklees council is currently preparing its Local Development Framework (LDF), this set of documents will provide the policy framework for land use planning decisions. It will balance the need for development with important climate change related issues such as  reducing single occupancy vehicle journeys,  energy and water use in new and refurbished buildings, supporting biodiversity and preserving our historic architecture to maintain the local distinctiveness of the area.

Our district needs to increase the amount of housing available as our population increases. The Local Development Framework will help to ensure the need is met sustainably by locating new housing primarily on brown field sites with good access to public transport and amenities.

Our planning system also highlights areas of land in the district of principle biodiversity concern where the approach to development needs to be moderated to ensure the protection, maintenance or enhancement of vulnerable species or habitats.

In addition, the LDF sets out a supportive spatial framework to encourage the use of renewable energy and the development and extension of community and district scale heating and power networks.

• The sustainability requirements of the LDF and our present planning system also support economic and social wellbeing by supporting the creation of mixed live work communities with good access to quality green space and buildings that are as far as possible future proofed against climate change and its physical and economic impacts.   

A sustainability appraisal will be undertaken before the LDF is implemented. More information on the preparation of the Local Development Framework by Kirklees Council.