Bradford District Local Plan - Publication Draft (Regulation 19) (October 2026)

Section 1: Consultation Introduction Comment

1.1 Overview

Local Plan Progress

1.1.1Welcome to the Bradford District Local Plan – Regulation 19 Consultation. Bradford is changing, transforming at scale and growing to meet our needs. The Local Plan sets out how the District will grow sustainably over the next 17-18 years, features new sites for housing and employment and a range of policies which will help guide development and the determination of planning applications. It also sets out information on a variety of other priorities including transport, open spaces, green infrastructure and places of ecological value across the District.

1.1.2The key plan ambitions for the Bradford District are focused upon delivering sustainable development and unlocking urban growth and regeneration at scale while taking a balanced approach to growth across the District and a clear focus upon quality place-making and design.

1.1.3The Council first consulted in 2019 on scoping and then detailed changes to the adopted Core Strategy, which was subsequently followed in February 2021 with consultation on an emerging fully integrated Local Plan (Regulation 18) in February 2021.

1.1.4The focus for the Local Plan has been to combine and update aspects of the adopted Core Strategy, Area Action Plans for the City Centre and Shipley /Canal Road Corridor, and the Bradford Waste Management Development Plan Document into a single plan publication. A comprehensive Local Plan, including site allocations for housing and employment, but a simplified plan structure. The plan has also been developed and aligned with the new West Yorkshire Mass Transit: Spatial Development Framework (SDF) which sets out shared planning principles for shaping growth around future Mass Transit corridors, further information is set out in paragraphs 1.1.22 to 1.1.28.

1.1.5Following the requirements of Regulation 18, Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended), the Council has now reached the pre-submission Regulation 19 Publication stage.

1.1.6Since the conclusion of the consultation in 2021, significant work has been undertaken on the Local Plan. This included the review of representations, the continued development of evidence base and appraisal material, and further sites analysis and evaluation. Together, this work has supported plan content and refined spatial strategy, strategic objectives and vision to ensure they are focused and deliverable.

1.1.7At a detailed level, the Local Plan sets out a finalised set of policies, designations and site allocations which the Council deliver sustainable development for the lifetime of the plan (2025-2043). It presents a well-balanced strategy that supports urban brownfield regeneration, economic growth and jobs, while supporting the delivery of new homes to meet a diverse range of needs, placemaking and the protection of much valued natural assets and built heritage. Importantly it also aligns with proposals to support major infrastructure improvements and investment, underpinning urban renewal and improving the quality of places.

1.1.8The format to the Local Plan follows a similar style and layout to the Regulation 18 document in 2021:

• Section 2: Introduction - Plan Directions and Context – including the wider context to the development of the plan and the District portrait.
• Section 3: Plan Strategy – vision, strategic objectives and strategic policies – overall vision for the District and linked set of strategic objectives together with the spatial growth strategy for the District and high-level strategic policies which set out the overall key land use planning directions with key diagram.
• Section 4: Thematic Planning Policies – policies covering housing, the economy, retail and town centres, transport and connectivity, design and place-making, infrastructure, climate and resources, natural and historic environments, minerals and waste, and implementation and delivery.
• Section 5: Settlement Policies and Site Allocations – policies for settlements, areas and site allocations for housing and employment.
• Section 6: Plan Implementation and Monitoring – plan delivery, indicators and monitoring framework.

1.1.9Maps and diagrams are used throughout the document to help describe characteristics and features of the District, illustrate the vision and explain policy approaches. The key diagram shows the main spatial strategy and policy elements of the plan. The Policies Map is a key aspect of the Local Plan which includes the main plan allocations and designations and is available in an interactive format.

1.1.10The Local Plan should be read as a whole - there are often connections across policy areas and in relation to site allocations.

Consultation and Representations

1.1.11This is the Council’s final version of the Local Plan for public consultation prior to submission for Public Examination by the Planning Inspectorate. At this pre-submission stage there is a specific period of no less than six weeks which allows for further public engagement. The overall approach to public consultation for this plan is set out in the Engagement Plan which accompanies the documents on the Council’s website and complies with the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement 2025-30) (SCI).

1.1.12At this consultation stage representations (in support or object to) are focused upon whether the Local Plan is considered legally compliant and sound. For this consultation the Council is using the Planning Inspectorate’s Model Representation Form for Local Plans (2026) which is embedded within the Local Plan consultation portal and available as part of plan consultation pack and on the Council’s website.

1.1.13The regulations require responses to be set out in a specific format and for set purposes during the specified consultation time-period. This is to inform the Planning Inspector whether you either support or object to a part of the Local Plan (paragraph / policy) or Policies Map and any supporting planning grounds. The Inspector will consider representations which are compliant with the regulations.

1.1.14There is also the opportunity within the form to detail any modification(s) or changes that are considered necessary to make the Local Plan legally compliant and/or sound, with any succinct supporting evidence or information. Finally, the form includes a section on whether you consider it necessary to participate at examination hearing sessions and why.

1.1.15Box 1.1 below includes an outline of what is meant by legal compliance and whether a plan is ‘sound’ in light of legislation and the National Planning Policy Framework ‘the Framework’. This is a legacy system Local Plan and will be examined against the December 2024 framework.

1.1.16A guidance note produced by the Planning Inspectorate to accompany the Model Representations Form is available on the Council’s website.

1.1.17The Council’s strongly preferred method of submitting representations is through the dedicated consultation portal, which will assist with speeding up processing and reduce administrative costs. Other methods for submitting comments are also available on the Council’s website and detailed in consultation packs at deposit locations across the District and through various other media and events.

1.1.18As required by legislation, consultation responses will be made public as part of the Local Plan process, and the Council will keep your details on its consultation database for future contact. Representor details are protected under GDPR legislation, but names and any representations made will be publicly viewable. The Council will not accept and take into account as duly made representations any anonymous comments. Representations will be filtered for any abusive or defamatory comments, and the Council may apply the use of secure AI software as detailed in the CBMDC Local Plan AI Statement (2026) to assist with summarisation and data processing.

Post Consultation and Timetable

1.1.19After the consultation period has closed, the Council will undertake a twin-tracked work programme:

• A technical check and summarisation of representations prior to seeking approval from Full Council to submit the Local Plan and supporting evidence and other material to the Secretary of State for public examination.
• Completion of necessary detailed submission requirements in line with Inspectorate procedural guidelines.

Once submitted, the appointment of an independent Planning Inspector to examine the plan is likely to follow shortly thereafter.

1.1.20The Planning Inspector(s) will set out further information about the Examination in Public, timetable and associated matters in conjunction with an appointed Programme Officer.

1.1.21The Local Plan is scheduled to be submitted to the Secretary of State by 31^st December 2026, with the examination and any consultation on modifications to be programmed through 2027. It is anticipated that a Final Report will be received from the Planning Inspectorate before the end of 2027. The Plan would then be formally Adopted by the Council as the up-to date Bradford District Local Plan and supersede the current portfolio of plan documents.

West Yorkshire Mass Transit: Spatial Development Framework joint Development Plan Document

1.1.22The West Yorkshire Mass Transit Spatial Development Framework is a joint Development Plan Document that aims to make sure new homes, businesses, services and public spaces are built in the right places and in the right way, to maximise the benefits from Mass Transit.

1.1.23The joint Development Plan Document has been prepared collectively by the five West Yorkshire Local Planning Authorities through a joint committee of elected members, supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

1.1.24It will provide a West Yorkshire-wide strategic framework to support the delivery of all phases of West Yorkshire Mass Transit, and to ensure a joined-up approach to land use, growth, regeneration and transport decisions across the region. Once adopted by the five West Yorkshire local planning authorities, it will form part of their statutory development plans and will carry the same weight in planning decision making as Local Plans.

1.1.25The Regulation 18 consultation ran from Thursday 29 January until Thursday 12 March 2026 to seek views on the scope and content of the draft joint Development Plan Document from the public, businesses, community groups, charitable organisations, statutory bodies and other stakeholders. Further details can be found here: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/sdfreg18

1.1.26The Regulation 19 consultation ran from Tuesday 4 August until Sunday 27 September 2026 to seek views on the soundness and legal compliance of the draft joint Development Plan Document. Further details can be found here: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/sdfreg19

1.1.27The joint Development Plan Document, supporting evidence and other material (including representations) will be submitted to the Secretary of State, an independent Planning Inspector(s) will then be appointed by the Planning Inspectorate to examine the plan.

1.1.28The jDPD is scheduled to be submitted to the Secretary of State by 31^st December 2026, with the examination and any consultation on modifications to be programmed through 2027. It is anticipated that a Final Report will be received from the Planning Inspectorate before the end of 2027. The jDPD would then be formally Adopted by the Council alongside the Bradford District Local Plan.