Baildon Neighbourhood Plan (2026-2040)
1.0 Background – Local Planning Policy Context Comment
1.1In 2011 the Localism Act gave Town Councils the power to prepare neighbourhood development plans (NDPs). Through our NP, local people in Baildon can now help shape future development in the area. This is because through planning law applications for planning permission are determined in accordance with the development plan (local and neighbourhood plans) unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
Emerging Bradford Local Plan
1.2The current development plan for Bradford District (also referred to throughout the document as City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council – CBMDC) that affects the Baildon neighbourhood area is the adopted Bradford Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) and the Waste Management DPD. These documents were formally adopted by CBMDC in 2017. As such, reference is made throughout the draft NP to the ‘Core Strategy’ as it is the relevant approved plan in place at the time of writing. The draft Plan presented here is in general conformity with the Core Strategy.
A new “emerging” Local Plan (2021 and 2025) is being prepared for Bradford District Bradford Council Emerging Local Plan (https://www.bradford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/emerging-local-plan/) This plan is at a late stage of preparation and is due for publication for consultation. In time it will replace Bradford’s Core Strategy and Waste Management DPDs.
Figure 1. Emerging Local Plan Strategy for Baildon 2021 (Source: Bradford Council PSGA AC0000823741).
Note: some areas shown are not in the Baildon Neighbourhood Area.
Neighbourhood Planning Process and Preparation
1.3Baildon Town Council (BTC), as a qualifying body, believes neighbourhood planning is an important tool to empower local people to shape their neighbourhood. Baildon Town Council decided to prepare a NP for the area and in 2014 applied to the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) for the town council area to be designated as a ‘Neighbourhood Area’ (NA). The application for designation was approved by CBMDC in June 2015. However, BTC at that time decided not to progress the NDP but focus instead on updating the ‘Baildon Plan’.
1.4In 2021 Baildon Town Council reassessed the situation, as many neighbouring local councils had, by then, adopted their own plans. A NP Working Group (NPWG) was established, and work has continued since then on developing the Baildon NP. This has included help from external consultants, funded through government grants, to assist the NP process. Further information on the background and work undertaken so far on the Baildon NP, including the results of the surveys and information on consultation events can be found at Baildon Town Council NDP Consultation Results (https://www.baildontowncouncil.gov.uk/neighbourhood-development-plan). The steps in preparing a Neighbourhood Plan are set out below.
Figure 2. Neighbourhood Plan Preparation Process
1.5The first step for parish/town councils wishing to prepare a neighbourhood plan is to submit their proposed neighbourhood area to the local planning authority for designation. Evidence and the outcomes of informal community engagement will inform the development of a vision and/or aims for the plan. These in turn will inform the formulation of policies. Community engagement and consultation will be necessary at all stages of the plan-making process, and the draft plan is revised a number of times in the light of this.
1.6Once there is a draft plan, it must be subjected to pre-submission consultation (Regulation 14). The proposed neighbourhood plan will be submitted to the local planning authority, which will check that the necessary documents have been provided. The plan will then be issued for a further formal period of consultation (under Regulation 16), before being subject to an independent examination.
1.7The examination will be arranged by the local planning authority (Bradford Council) and conducted by a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, known as the Examiner. In assessing if the Baildon NP meets the Basic Conditions and other legislative requirements, the Examiner may recommend further changes to ensure that the plan is compliant, and whether it should proceed to a local referendum in the neighbourhood area. City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) will then take a formal decision to amend the plan and move it to a referendum. The referendum will be arranged by CBMDC. Anyone who is registered to vote in local elections and lives in the neighbourhood area will be entitled to vote in the referendum. A straight majority vote (50% of turnout +1) of those voting on the plan will be required, before CBMDC formally “make” (adopt) it. The “made” Baildon NP will then be used to help determine planning applications in the Baildon Neighbourhood Area alongside other parts of the statutory development plan for Bradford District and national planning policy.
1.8Baildon Town Council (BTC) recognises that it has a responsibility that goes beyond the provisions of Statutory and Regulatory requirements as regards equality and access, and that all its policies should support and contribute to the wider process of change through all aspects of its work and practices in order to eliminate discrimination and promote equality and diversity (BTC Equal Opportunities Policy 2024/25).
