These reports and technical papers form part of the evidence base to our Local Plan.
The environment aspects consider the impact on:
- Green belt.
- Air quality.
- Potential flood risks.
- Renewable energy provision.
- Waste capacity requirements.
Air quality
Transport emissions are a significant part of poor air quality. To see how we are addressing this, read our:
We have a statutory duty to address air quality issues as required by the Local Air Quality Management framework. An plan has been been made for this, read:
For an overview of the Council’s approach to tackling air quality, read:
Environment thresholds study
The Calderdale Environmental thresholds study (ETS), analyses a number of environmental criteria. It show if the criteria are relatively positive or negative, in the local area.
This helps make sure that they can be appropriately considered, before the publication version of the Core strategy.
The ETS will be updated as and when new data is available. For more detail, please read:
Exceptional circumstances for the release of Green Belt
This considers the process the Council followed in relation to the potential need to release land from the Green Belt.
It shows a methodical approach has been built into each stage of the process. This process has dovetailed with the Government’s emerging policy on exceptional circumstances.
For more details, please read:
Green belt review
To meet National Planning Policy Framework requirements, the Council undertook a review of Green Belt across the Borough.
For details of the review, please read:
For land parcels considered in the Green Belt Review and the results for those, see: Green belt review parcel results.
The review does not make any decisions on the future of the green belt. It is one of many pieces of evidence used in the preparation of the Local Plan.
Note: Land can only be taken out of, or added to, the green belt through the Local Plan process.
Review Methodology
This was written and consulted on in 2008/9 and revised in 2015. For more details, read:
Note: Green Belt Review Parcels are not directly related to individual sites proposed for allocation in the Local Plan. The same methodology as the Green Belt Review is used for proposed development sites in the Local Plan. This is for those:
- located in the Green Belt that have been assessed against the Green Belt purposes in the NPPF;
- using the boundaries of the site itself.
For the results, read:
Habitats assessment
Calderdale benefits from being in a Special protection area (SPA) and Special area of conservation (SAC). These are designated under the provisions of European Commission (EC) directives.
As a result, we need to address these special habitats as part of our Local Plan preparation process.
We prepared a Screening Report for the consultation in August 2017:
The following documents accompanied the Local Plan Publication Draft 2018:
These were updated in 2019:
Landscape character assessment
This study has characterised the landscape of Calderdale. We use it to take account of the landscape when preparing development proposals and determining applications.
It has also updated the evidence that supports the designation of Special landscape areas across the Borough. It describes what makes these areas special.
For more on this, please read:
Renewal and low carbon energy
Areas of suitability for wind developments in Calderdale
This study explores the potential for wind turbine development across Calderdale. This follows the release of the Ministerial statement in June 2015. It uses a range of considerations to assess land that may be unconstrained for different sizes of turbine (area-wide basis).
The report also shows there are moderate to high implications, at a landscape level, for more wind development. To see more on this, please read:
Note: The report should be read along with the:
Renewable and Low Carbon Energy Technical Paper
This gives background information on Renewable and Low Carbon Energy, found in the 'Climate Change' section of the Local Plan . It summaries and references relevant background studies. For more on this, please read:
South Pennines wind energy landscape study, October 2014
This study was undertaken in 2010 by Julie Martin Associates and Land use consultants (LUC). It was done on behalf of Barnsley, Burnley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Rossendale Councils.
It updates and extends Landscape capacity study for wind energy development for the South Pennines.
At a strategic level, it identifies areas that are of lower landscape sensitivity to wind energy development of different scales. At the same time, it identifies any known cumulative impacts.
The evidence from study informs and supports participating authorities’ Local Plans. It also gives guidance to assist in the consideration of planning applications.
Renewable and low carbon energy study
The Renewable and low carbon energy study was undertaken by Maslen Environmental and completed in 2010.
It was done on behalf of Burnley, Calderdale, Kirklees, Pendle and Rossendale councils.
It explores opportunities for delivering renewable and low carbon energy, through a capacity assessment.
This includes: wind, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, heat pumps, biomass combustion and hydro.
Mineral evidence report
This sets out the evidence in relation to the minerals element of the Local Plan Initial Draft. It covers:
- Types of minerals extracted in Calderdale.
- Methodology applied to establish Mineral Safeguarding Areas.
- Site assessments of proposed new mineral allocations.
Note: To submit a comment, visit: Local Plan - Initial Draft.
Flood risk planning guidance
This has been developed to supplement and support the Local Plan.
It has been developed by Calderdale MBC as the Lead Local Flood Authority and Local Planning Authority.
Waste
Waste sites assessment
This update report has a summary of the comments we got from our 2016 consultation.
It details sites proposed for allocation as waste sites in the Local Plan Initial Draft consultation.
For more details, read:
Councils must allocate enough sites to be able to deal with future waste, in their Local Plan. This is to fulfil their role as the Waste Planning Authority (WPA).
This document should be read alongside the analysis of waste data presented in the Waste Data Evidence Report below.
To see the previous assessments, please read:
Waste data evidence report - update 2016
The Waste Data Evidence Report (August 2016), updates previous versions. It looks at:
- Overall waste arisings.
- Waste imports.
- Waste flows;
- Waste exports.
- Waste projections.
- Capacity of waste facilities.
- Future waste capacity requirements.
The report shows data on different types of waste from the:
- Environment agency (EA).
- Council's Waste Management section.
- Department for Environment, food and rural affairs (Defra).
It is part of the evidence base for the waste element of the Local plan.
Leeds City Region Waste Gap Analysis
This is a detailed analysis of capacity gaps for each type of waste management route. Also, future capacity requirements for each waste stream.