Draft Bradford District Local Plan - Preferred Options (Regulation 18) February 2021

Haworth

Introduction

5.22.1 The village of Haworth is located within the South Pennine sub- area of Bradford District and the Worth Valley Ward. It lies within the folds of the Pennine moorlands between the settlements of Oxenhope and Oakworth. The settlement is located approximately 16km west of Bradford and 6.5km south-west of Keighley. It is largely residential in nature, with some local services. Haworth is an important tourist destination due to its historical associations with the Bronte's (there is a visitor centre and museum in the village) and the preserved steam railway and associated museum.

Figure 1: Location Plan

5.22.2 Haworth has a total population of 6,259 with the majority of this (62.2%) falling within the working age category (16-64). The working age profile of the settlement is comparable to the West Yorkshire average with a higher percentage of over 65s (20.5% compared to the sub-regional average of 16.7%). The ethnic composition of Haworth is primarily made up of people who identify themselves as White British - accounting for 95%. This is a notably higher proportion than the West Yorkshire average (78.4%), but is similar to other smaller rural settlements in the District.

Planning for Prosperity

5.22.3 The Local Plan settlement hierarchy identifies Haworth as one of the district's 11 Local Service Centres. This means that it will see a smaller scale of development, comprising both market and affordable housing, as well as the protection of its local centre to help ensure the continued provision of economic activity in the area

Economy and Employment

5.22.4 Economic activity rates are relatively high for Haworth with 74.4% of the resident population economically active compared to the West Yorkshire average (68.5%). Average household income at £42,500, is higher than the West Yorkshire average (£38,499). The main employment sectors that the residents of Cullingworth work in include retail, health and social work and manufacturing.

5.22.6 Due to the world-wide appeal of the Brontes, tourism is the single biggest industry in the area; local people are employed in a combination of recreational, historical and cultural visitor attractions. Visitor surveys indicate that over one million visitors a year come into the area.

5.22.7 There are no longer any designated employment areas within the village. In order to access a wider range of employment opportunities, residents need to commute to the larger centres of Bradford, Keighley and Halifax.

5.22.8 Business Register and Employment Survey (BRES) data indicates that the three largest industry groups by workforce jobs (all people in employment) are: hotels and catering (18.2%), health (16.3%) and retail (12.5%).

Retail

5.22.9 There are three defined retail centres in Haworth; Main Street in the centre of Haworth, Mill Hey which is to the east of the centre and a small retail centre in the Cross Roads locality.

5.22.10 Haworth Village Centre is a long linear centre focused on the semi-pedestrianised Main Street, a narrow street rising steeply to the north. With its strong historic character, Main Street is a popular tourist destination for visitors attracted to the Bronte association. As a result, the local centre, in contrast to others within the Bradford District, exists primarily to serve this tourist market rather than to meet the needs of local residents.

5.22.11 The 2019 Retail and Leisure Study found that Haworth is one of the District's largest local centres with 55 retail units. Out of these there are five convenience uses, largely aimed at tourists (chocolatier, sweet shop, bakers) and 28 comparison units, which are also overwhelmingly aimed at the tourist market, including gifts/card shops, art galleries, craft shops, second-hand shops and a new age shop. The only retail service units present are a hairdresser and a Post Office.

5.22.12 Mill Hey is a linear area located in the eastern end of Haworth, approximately 6km to the south west of Keighley town centre and 1km from the main Haworth village centre, via Bridgehouse Lane. Mill Hey operates as a separate local centre; it adjacent to the Worth Valley heritage railway station and museum, which is an important visitor attraction. Although tourism is important to the centre, it is much less of a factor than in Haworth village Centre (Main Street). Mill Hey centre primarily serves local residents; it has relatively large Spar, model shop, army surplus store, two hardware stores, a pharmacy and a pet shop.

5.22.13 The Retail Study recognises Haworth as a unique centre with significant heritage value and of great importance to the tourism economy. It is unique in the District as catering almost solely to the tourist market rather than in meeting local needs. As this situation is entrenched and is unlikely to change, the study recommends that Mill Hey be the focus for meeting local service and retail needs.

5.22.14 A third retail centre is located in the Cross Roads locality to the east of Haworth. It is a small linear centre located on Haworth Road comprising 13 units which predominantly meet convenience needs. The Retail Study notes that it is a healthy local centre with a good mix of essential shops and services to serve its local catchment.

Figure 2: Mill Hey, Haworth Main Street and Cross Roads Local Centres

Transport and Access

5.22.15 The A629, an inter-Yorkshire road that runs from Skipton, in the north to Rotherham, in the south, passing through Keighley, Halifax, Huddersfield and Chapeltown.

5.22.16 There are frequent bus services to Keighley and Hebden Bridge and along with an hourly service to Bradford departing from Cross Roads (Halifax Road). The only railway station in Haworth is a heritage railway which runs a limited service steam train between Oxenhope and Keighley. The nearest commuter station is around 5km away in Keighley. Leeds Bradford International Airport is 20km away.

5.22.17 There are numerous footpaths and bridleways leading out of the settlement into the countryside and connecting with the wider public rights of way network.

5.22.18 In relation to digital accessibility, average broadband download speed in Haworth is almost 42 megabytes per second which is slightly below the West Yorkshire average of 44.57. There are no premises where speeds are below the Universal Service Obligation (USO)^[1].

Planning for Homes

5.22.19 Haworth has 3,071 dwellings which are mostly owner occupied (74%), this is higher than the regional average (63.4%). Just 4.5% are socially rented compared to the regional average of 19%.

5.22.20 There are a mix of house types in Haworth with the highest proportion being mainly older terraced properties located around the central historic core settlement (52%). Semi-detached (23%) and detached (14%) properties being the dominant dwelling type in the newer housing estates to the north and south and in Cross Roads. Around half of the village's houses were built prior to 1900 which is much higher than the regional average (18%).

5.22.21 The average house price in Haworth is £157,714 (2020), average house prices in Haworth are below regional averages for detached and semi-detached but higher for terraced and flatted properties. Figure 3. This would equate to an income multiplier of 3.76.

Figure 3: Haworth – House Prices

5.22.22 The delivery of new housing is a key part of the development strategy for Haworth. This will ensure that the housing needs of local people can be met, both in terms of market and affordable housing. New housing will also allow for the modest growth of the settlement, to attract new residents and to help sustain the provision of services and facilities.

5.22.23 Policy SP8 in the local plan sets out a minimum requirement of 250 dwellings to be delivered in Haworth during the plan period. These will be delivered through a mix of committed sites (those under construction or have planning permission but have not yet commenced) and allocations. Table 1 below sets out the housing position for Haworth, which also includes the application of non-implementation or discount rates for planning permissions and allocations.

5.22.24 Once the commitments are discounted and removed from the supply, this leaves a residual allocation requirement of 181 units. The evaluated total site supply of housing units from the preferred allocation site equates to 204 units which is in turn discounted by 10% for non-implementation or under delivery leaving a final allocation contribution of 184 units.

Table 1: Haworth - Summary of Housing Requirement and Supply

5.22.25 A portfolio of six sites have been identified as the preferred set of site options for Haworth to meet the housing the requirement. These consist of two brownfield sites, Ebor Mills and Ivy Bank Lane and four greenfield sites, none of which are in the Green Belt. The Council considers that the proposed level of growth within this area can be met without any need to make change to or release land from the green belt. Further information on these proposed allocations is set out in Table A and identified on the Policies Map and the Site Pro Forma below together with the local strategies map for each plan area. Development of site allocations should be in accordance with specified development guidelines and approximate site provision figures and all other relevant policies of this Local Plan. The Council will be supportive of additional proposals for new homes on additional small sites, particularly those that provide a redevelopment opportunity to bring forward land which has been previously used. Support will also be provided to developers who wish to redevelop larger sites and/or buildings for new homes not currently identified, subject to all relevant policies in the Local Plan.

Planning for Places and Communities

Green Belt, Natural Landscape and Historic Character

5.22.26 Haworth is surrounded by Green Belt; this land that surrounds the urban area of Haworth falls within the Worth and North Beck Valleys Landscape Character Area and the Yorkshire Southern Pennine Fringe National Character Area. There is a mix of landscape types surrounding Haworth:

• Upland pasture – Two small pockets of fields on a perched plateau on the eastern valley slopes above Haworth. Described as having strong character, high historic continuity and visual prominence and feelings of openness this landscape type is sensitive to further development.

• Mixed upland pasture -Small areas between the Keighley-Worth Valley railway and the eastern flank of Haworth, to the north east of Brow Moor. Described as having strong character, high historic continuity and visual prominence and feelings of openness, this landscape type is sensitive to further development.

• Wooded valley - Along the Worth Valley and Bridgehouse Beck Valley. Described as having moderate strength of character, high historic continuity, visibility and a degree of enclosure, the wooded valleys are moderately sensitive to development.

5.22.27 The local landscape also has important cultural connections to the Bronte's, in particular the moorlands to the west of Haworth to Top Withens (the ruined farmhouse said to be the inspiration for Wuthering Heights). The landscape has been identified as being prominent and open and in declining condition, with moderate strength of character and medium historic continuity.

5.22.28 The majority of the west of the settlement is designated as Haworth Conservation Area. This covers the oldest surviving part of the village including the St Michael's Church, Haworth Old Hall. The Parsonage and other buildings associated with the Bronte's.

5.22.29 There are a total of 100 Listed Buildings within the town, the majority of which are Grade II Listed. There is one Grade I Listed Building which is the Haworth Parsonage (Brontë Museum). Other Grade II Listed Buildings/Structures include; St Michael and All Angels Parish Church, Bridgehouse Mills, and Ebor Mills. The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Station is also listed and a heritage train service runs through here between Keighley and Oxenhope. Central Park which opened in 1929 and has a Green Flag award is designated as a Historic Park and Garden.

Green Infrastructure, Ecology, Open Space and Flood Risk

5.22.30 Green Infrastructure (GI) areas which cover Haworth running north to south and branching off to the east and west in the north, form part of the District's Green Infrastructure network and should be protected and enhanced. These areas are multi-functional in nature and help to deliver benefits for biodiversity, reduce flood risk, provide public rights of way, and areas of open space. New developments should identify the opportunities to connect into these networks by enhancing natural features that exist on-site and improving the links between sites.

5.22.31 Haworth has a number of biodiversity designations within or adjoining the village area. There are five Local Wildlife Sites in the locality:

• Airedale Spring Mill Pond, Haworth (1.8ha)
• Baden Street, Haworth (2.3ha)
• Penistone Hill Country Park (74ha)
• Ives Plantation, Oxenhope (0.64ha)
• Brow Moor (39.4ha)

5.22.32 The Bridgehouse Beck Valleys contain numerous priority habitats and are part of the wider habitat network. The east and west of Haworth have a network of heath and grassland priority habitats. There are also numerous areas of woodland habitat, much of which has TPO designation, in and around the settlement, especially in the north. Dimples Quarry, Haworth Local Geological Site, lies to the west of the settlement.

5.22.33 The South Pennine Moors SPA (and SSSI) is located 1.4km from the settlement's western boundary meaning that Haworth falls within the 2.5km zone of this Internationally designated wildlife habitat. This zone has been identified as the area most frequently utilised by SPA qualifying species for foraging. Within this zone new developments will need to check for supporting habitat that might be functionally linked to the SPA and contribute to measures to mitigate against the potential increased recreational impact of the increase in population.

5.22.34 There are 36 open space sites of various types within the settlement which cover a total area of 33.1ha. The key open spaces sites in Haworth include Central Park, Cross Roads Park, Rawdon Road Allotments and Mytholmes Lane Fields. The priority should be for new outdoor sports open space such as playing fields and some improvements to the existing parks. Figure 4 shows the location and type of open space in the settlement.

Figure 4: Haworth – Open Space Overview

5.22.35 Haworth lies in the Worth Valley with the River Worth running east to west to the north of Haworth and Bridgehouse Beck running north to south through the centre of the settlement. The low lying areas around these watercourses could suffer from fluvial flooding and are in Flood Zone 2. There are other parts of the settlement, particularly along roads where there is potential for surface water flooding to occur due to the topography and permeability of surfaces in that area.

Community Infrastructure – Education, Health and Utilities

5.22.36 There are a number of community uses around the centre, including two churches and a village hall. Due to its popularity with tourists Haworth, has a high number leisure services units available to the community including numerous public houses, cafes, hotels and restaurants. There is also the Bronte Museum at the Parsonage.

5.22.37 There are two primary schools within Haworth; Lees Primary school and Haworth Primary School. Lees Primary School is located on Haworth Road in the Cross Roads area which is to the east of Haworth centre; it has capacity for 210 students. Haworth Primary School is located on Rawdon Road to the north of the settlement; it has capacity for 341 students. Treetops children's centre is attached to Haworth Primary School and provides support and activities for primarily under-fives.

5.22.38 There is no secondary education setting within Haworth. The nearest secondary schools are Beckfoot Oakbank located on Oakworth Road, to the south of Keighley, with a capacity of 1,800 and Parkside School in Cullingworth, which has a capacity of 1,113.

5.22.39 The village is served by Haworth Medical Practice, which provides a service to residents of Haworth, Cross Roads, Stanbury and parts of Oakworth, it has around 9,300 patients. There is a pharmacy located within the settlement. Secondary (acute) healthcare is provided at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General Hospital. Figure 5 shows the location of local facilities.

Figure 5: Haworth – Schools and GP Practices

5.22.40 When planning for the long-term development of Haworth, it is vital that new development is supported by the appropriate infrastructure. The capacity, quality and accessibility of services and facilities are all key components in ensuring people can enjoy living, working and visiting the area. The council will continue work with key infrastructure providers and others including the Local Education Authority, Clinical Commissioning Group and utilities providers to determine the impacts of future growth and development on local infrastructure capacity and provision. Further infrastructure details will be published through the Local Infrastructure Plan and as part of the Regulation 19 stage of the local plan.

(19) Consultation Question 130

Preferred Site Allocations and Site Pro Formas

5.22.41 The preferred housing site allocation is detailed below in Table A. This table is subsequently followed by site pro forma providing a summary of key site information and characteristics.

Table A: Housing - Preferred Allocation

(10) Consultation Question 131

^[1] Universal Service Obligation (USO) - download speeds at or above 10Mbit/s and upload speeds at or above 1Mbit/s including non-matched records and zero predicted speeds