Success for residents in Calderdale as the High Court gives the green light for a Judicial Review of Labour’s Local Plan.
Last week, the High Court gave the green light to a Judicial Review of Labour’s Local Plan in Calderdale. This is a win for local residents, who are deeply concerned about the Local Plan.
Local residents in Clifton pressed for a Judicial Review over Calderdale Council’s deeply flawed Strategic Transport Model, which inadequately prepares the region’s highways and transport links for the excessive number of houses that the Council plans to build on our Green Belt.
Local Ward Councillor (Brighouse) and Deputy Group Leader, Cllr H Blagbrough was happy to hear the High Court had given the green light and said, “I praise the hard work of the Clifton Neighbourhood Forum and local residents to raise funds for the legal challenge. I will continue to support them as their Ward Councillor at every opportunity.”
Conservative Group Leader, Cllr S Leigh also said, “The Conservative Group has always opposed Labour’s Local Plan. Earlier in the year, Labour rushed through the Local Plan without proper debate or consideration for residents in Calderdale. However, we will continue to support residents who oppose the developments and use our positions on the Council to voice concerns from residents. We will also do what we can stop the Local Plan should the opportunity arise.”
The Local Plan will see over 10,000 houses built on our Green Belt in Calderdale, with the majority of the houses built in the Lower Valley.
The Plan lacks vital investment in infrastructure to support the houses, including transport links, GP Surgeries, schools, and other important amenities. In addition, there is an abundance of available Brownfield in the region that should be built on first and over 2000 empty houses - All of which the Council chooses to ignore.
We will have to wait for the outcome of the Judicial Review for some time, but it may well lead to a dramatic reduction in the size of the Local Plan.
We now call on Labour to suspend implementation of the Local Plan – This will avoid additional and potentially unnecessary spending.
More information on the Clifton Neighbourhood Forum and how you can support them can be found using the following link: Clifton Neighbourhood Forum – Clifton – West Yorkshire (cliftonforum.org.uk)
