Object

Representation ID: 29695

Received: 24/03/2021

Respondent: Persimmon Homes (West Yorkshire)

Agent: Barton Wilmore

Housing Distribution - Bradford City Centre & Menston

The Council’s approach to distribution in the draft Local Plan is considered to be flawed for a number of reasons. Firstly, the decision to uplift the target from 3,500 (4,000 in the Core Strategy Review) to 7,000 is a mistake given Bradford’s historic deliverability issues in the City Centre.

Not only that, it is at odds with the likely shift in living expectations following the Covid-19 pandemic, which is likely to see an even greater desire for more rural living, in areas close to countryside and green space.

The extent of housing in the City Centre should be retained at 3,500 as per the adopted Core Strategy and the residual 3,500 spread out around the District.

In terms of Menston, which is one of six Local Growth Centres, it has been apportioned the 2nd lowest distribution. Menston is closely related to Guiseley, which the two settlements almost merging into one, and it is therefore more sustainable than settlements such as Burley-in-Wharfedale and should be apportioned a similar level of new homes.