CONSULTATION ON DRAFT SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT (SPD)

The above document is currently undergoing formal consultation.

The Affordable Housing SPD outlines Leeds City Council’s proposed requirements for the provision of affordable housing on planning applications submitted for residential development.

The SPD, once formally adopted, will replace the existing Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on Affordable Housing, ie. the proposals in the SPD will not apply until the plan is formally adopted. The existing informal housing policy and supplementary planning guidance remain until then.

An accompanying Sustainability Appraisal (SA) document has also been produced. This has thoroughly assessed the draft SPD against environmental, social and economic effects which would result from applying the SPD.

The purpose of this e-mail is to invite you to consider the SPD and SA. Any comments or suggestions on the documents would be welcome. These should be returned (faxed, posted, hand delivered or via email) to City Development by 5 p.m. on 7th November 2008. See below for address and numbers.

Should you wish to view a copy of the SPD and SA then as of today you can access these documents, along with the Statement of the SPD Matters and comments form, in the following ways:
- On the internet using the links above
- By visiting the Development Office at The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, LS2 8HD (Monday to Friday 0830 – 1700, except Wednesday 1000 – 1700) or
- By requesting copies to be sent to you by post or email ( telephone (0113 2478075, Fax 0113 247 6484) or email ldf@leeds.gov.uk)
- Libraries and One Stop Centres within Leeds District will have a hard copy only of the Draft SPD from 29th September.

I trust this e-mail provides you with sufficient information but if you have any queries then please do not hesitate to contact Lois Pickering, Senior Planning Officer, Planning Policy on (0113) 2478133.

David Feeney
Head of Planning & Economic Policy
Leeds City Council
The Leonardo Building
2 Rossington Street
Leeds LS2 8HD

Regional Spatial Strategy- what is built and where in Yorkshire and Humber

How much housing should we have in the Region? Where should new housing development go? What type of housing should we build to meet our communities’ needs? Do we need new transport and infrastructure? How should we provide for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation? Which parts of the Region should we prioritise for investment?

The Yorkshire and Humber Assembly is currently undertaking a partial review of the Regional Spatial Strategy (entitled the RSS 2009 Update) to address the requirements of the Housing Green Paper and look at accommodating housing growth in the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

Between 3 November 2008 and 2 January 2009 we will be consulting on strategic options for accommodating growth in the region. We are pleased to invite you to attend one of four events being held during the strategic options consultation stage:

Tuesday 11 November 2008: National Centre for Early Music, York

Thursday 13 November 2008: Octagon Centre, Hull

Tuesday 18 November 2008: Megacentre, Sheffield

Thursday 20 November 2008: Marriott Hotel, Leeds

The purpose of the events is to introduce and consult on the strategic options for accommodating growth in the region and will consist of discussions, presentations and interactive workshops during the day and an open drop-in session in the evening. The events are open to everyone in the region.

Please find attached an invitation providing further information on the events and a booking form.

To reserve your place, please contact the person below to get a booking form and return the booking form by Friday 10 October 2008 (places are limited). If you require any further information then please do not hesitate to contact Hannah on 01924 331592 or email rssupdate@yhassembly.gov.uk

Kind Regards

Hannah Madajewski
Planning Administrator
Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
18 King Street
Wakefield
WF1 2SQ
Tel: 01924 331592
Fax: 01924 331559
Email: Hannah.Madajewski@Yhassembly.gov.uk

Next forum meeting- Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document

The Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD) which is part of the Leeds Local Development Framework: a collection of documents which guide decisions on planning applications and influences what will be built in Leeds and where (spatial land use planning).

The document covers a wide range of issues of immense importance to the environment and sustainable development in Leeds. Including:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city

- Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change

- Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste-resource management

- Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling)

- Contaminated land

- Water resources and flooding issues

- Air quality

The NRWDPD is currently out for public consultation. It is vital we support this document through our consultation responses in order to help Leeds manage natural resources and waste more sustainably. We can help to strengthen and improve the document through our responses to the consultation.

It is suggested you have a quick read through the sections of the document that most interest you prior to attending the meeting. The document can be found on the link below.

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Planning/Local_development_framework/natural_resources_and_waste_dpd_
%E2%80%93_issues_and_alternative_options_%28ldf%29.aspx

‘Keeping an Eye on Leeds’ Environment Forum
19:00 – 21:00 3^rd June 2008
Leeds Civic Hall

1.0 Welcome and introductions

2.0 Coordinators Update
JH to briefly update on ‘Access to Nature’ funding application.

3.0 Introduction to the Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (NRWDPD)
“It is important that Leeds is able to manage its natural resources in a sustainable manner. The NRWDPD will explain the key issues affecting Leeds’ natural resources. It will provide a policy framework and guidance on themes relevant to the whole of the Leeds City Council area for the future management of existing natural resources.” Text taken from document.

4.0 Group Discussion and Question and Answer Session
We will discuss any aspect of this document which forum members take an interest in, this could include:

- Natural resource flows and the ecological footprint of the city - Renewable and non-renewable energy and climate change - Household and commercial waste, waste treatment technologies and waste resource management - Minerals and aggregates (extraction and recycling) - Contaminated land - Water resources and flooding issues - Air quality

5.0 Responding to the consultation
We will discuss how we will make a formal response to the consultation- either forming a focus group to work up a forum response, or using the minutes of this meeting to form the basis of a forum response or responding to the consultation as individual organisations. The deadline for responses is 5pm on 19/6/08.

6.0 Brief updates from the forums representatives on Aire Action Leeds and the Climate Change Strategy Group.
JH to feedback on Climate Change Strategy. IM, KS, DV, JH, RB to feedback on Aire Action Leeds. Reps: If you have feedback but cannot attend the meeting please forward your written feedback to me by 28^th May.

Next meeting: Tuesday 1^st July 2008. 19:00-21:00 Leeds Civic Hall.
Environment Forum Coordinating Group. Detailed reps feedback and action planning. We will discuss our Terms of Reference, Vision (work programme) and other issues related to the operation of our forum. All welcome.

West Leeds Gateway Area Action Plan- Preferred Options

If anyone responds please forward your comments to me so I can use them in any response I, or my colleague might make.

Leeds City Council is working on an area action plan for the West Leeds Gateway area, which covers Armley, Lower Wortley, Upper Wortley, New Wortley and the Heights. The plan, which is being prepared in consultation with local communities, businesses and organisations, will guide regeneration and development over the next 15-20 years.

Previous consultation – issues and options – Autumn 2006
A public consultation on the issues and options for West Leeds Gateway was undertaken during November/December 2006. Three alternative options were considered: minor change, moderate change and major change. Information is available about the West Leeds Gateway issues and options consultation.

Current consultation – preferred options - 26 February to 8 April 2008
From the consultation undertaken at the issues and options stage it is clear that there is little support for major change in the area and that the area is valued as a place to live and work by local residents and businesses. It was also apparent that the minor option would not produce the changes needed to take the Gateway forward to a viable long term future. In view of this the Preferred Options have been developed based on the medium change option. The Preferred Option concentrates on seven strategic themes and seven character areas.

The seven strategic themes are:
- Design and the Environment, Landscape, Biodiversity and Sustainability.
- Greenspace, Linkages and the West Leeds Country Park
- Outdoor Advertising
- Design, Signage and Identity
- Transport
- Health
- Employment and Training

The seven character areas are:
- Central Armley
- Armley Mills
- Canal Road and Ledgard Way
- Canalside
- New Wortley and the Gyratory
- Oldfield Lane Centre
- The Tong Road/ Wellington Road Cooridor.

Public exhibitions are being held at:

Armley Library	26 February - 8 April
Somerfield Supermarket, Armley Town Street	26 February - 1 March
New Wortley Community Centre, 40 Tong Road	3 March - 8 March
Netto Supermarket, Oldfield Lane, Wortley	10 March - 15 March
Armley Leisure Centre, Carr Crofts, Armley	17 March - 22 March
Armley Moor Health Centre, 95 Town Street	26 March - 28 March

Documents available on the consultation page:
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/Business/Planning/Planning_consultations/
West_Leeds_Gateway_area_action_plan__preferred_options_consultation
_(LDF).aspx

Preferred Options - full document	Introduction; 7 strategic themes; 7 neighbourhood proposals; funding, monitoring
Preferred Options - summary document
Poster publicising the exhibitions
Proposals maps including the seven character area insets
Sustainability Appraisal report on the Preferred Options
Statement of Proposals Matters
Report on the public consultation on the Issues and Options
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment	Link to the SFRA webpage
Online questionnaire	Complete the questionnaire online
Questionnaire seeking views of the Preferred Options	Print out and return to the address given

If you have any queries on this consultation, or would like a copy of the questionnaire in Word format, please contact us at ldf@leeds.gov.uk

All comments should be received by 5.00pm on Tuesday 8 April 2008

Tall Buildings Design Guide

Tall Buildings Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

As part of the Local Development Framework (LDF), Leeds City Council is undertaking formal public consultation on the above Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) together with an accompanying Sustainability Appraisal.

The consultation period for this SPD will run until Monday 18th February.

The Tall Building Design Guide sets out to establish clear principles and advice to ensure that tall buildings are well designed in appropriate locations enhancing the skyline at the same time.

A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) document has also been produced. This has thoroughly assessed the draft SPD against environmental, social and economic effects which would result from applying the SPD. The SA provides a systematic way for checking and improving on the SPD as it develops.

In accordance with the Statutory Regulations, the City Council has also produced a Statement of SPD matters.

We would welcome any comments on the documents. The Council will consider all representations received during the consultation and as a result will make any changes that are considered appropriate and necessary. Subject to the satisfactory completion of this process, it is anticipated that the SPD will be adopted by the City Council in spring 2008. Requests to be notified of the formal adoption of the SPD can be made on the comments form.

From 7 January, you can access the documents at the following locations:
· Web – www.leeds.gov.uk/ldf (PDF versions of the documents are available for viewing & downloading)
· Development Enquiry Centre - The Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington St, Leeds, LS2 8HD (Monday to Friday 08:30 - 17:00, except Wednesdays 10:00 - 17:00)
· Libraries and one-stop centres within Leeds District.

You can also telephone (0113) 2478144 to obtain a copy of the cd and/or documents or e-mail ldf@leeds.gov.uk

Comment forms can be faxed, emailed or posted to the Leonardo Building address above.

Special arrangements can be made to translate the documents into any language (free of charge) by telephoning (0113) 2478092. If you have other special needs please contact Henry Skrzypecki on (0113) 3960538 who will be pleased to assist.

Text taken from an email sent by David Feeney, Head of Economic Planning & Policy.

Please use the comments section to share your views with other forum members to help them respond to the consultation.

Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document (part of the LDF)

As part of the Local Development Framework a Natural Resources and Waste Development Plan Document is being prepared which aims to “highlight how Leeds’ natural resources will be managed for the good of the economy while minimising the impacts on the environment and reducing wastage. Specifically the plan is intended to contain detailed policies on the management of a number of issues that might include the following:

- Household and commercial waste.
- Mineral resources.
- Water resources and flooding issues
- Energy and climate change
- Air quality
- Contaminated land”

I have received a letter to raise awareness of the work being undertaken and provide us with an opportunity to be involved in early discussions surrounding the key issues of this plan. We are asked what our thoughts are on the following key areas:

- What are the major issues associated with waste management and how can the forthcoming challenging landfill [reduction] targets be met?

- How can we best use our mineral resources?

- What issues associated with climate change and flooding would you like to see considered within the plan?

- What are the main issues we should be taking on board when considering the regeneration of contaminated land?

- Are their any other issues you would like to be included in a Natural Resources Development Plan Document?

Your comments will be helpful to inform preparation of an ‘issues and alternative options’ paper. All comments need to be presented in a written format. Contact details are for enquiries and submitting comments:

Andrew Walters

Jacobs UK Ltd

1 City Walk

Leeds

LS11 9DX

andrew.walters@jacobs.com

t: 0795 613 4516

f: 0113 389 1389

Please use the comments section of this blog to post comments that might help others to formulate their responses.

Leeds Local Development Framework- Core Strategy

The Leeds Local Development Framework (LDF) Core Strategy is currently out for public consultation. The LDF is a collection of planning policy documents, the core strategy is the principle document that must be taken into account when deciding planning applications and planning where new things will be built. The Core Strategy will help shape the future appearance, liveability and environmental performance of the City. It is the principle document in the Local Development Framework (LDF) and is aligned to the Regional Spatial Strategy (Integrated Regional Framework), national planning policy and the Vision for Leeds. The old planning system (the Unitary Development Plan) stipulated what can be built and where, the LDF is an advancement of this aiming to deliver social, economic and environmental objectives through spatial (land use) planning.

The Core Strategy has 4 key aims:

Protect, enhance and manage the environment.

Promote economic success, with a high quality of life.

Narrow the gap between disadvantaged communities and the rest of Leeds.

Promote and develop Leeds’ role within Leeds City Region as a competitive European city.

There are 5 key objectives:

Environment

Economy

Regeneration and renewal

Future developments

Well-connected city

There are 4 future scenarios which will help guide how Leeds’ built environment changes over the next 20 years- respondents are asked which option they would prefer ranging from ‘maintaining existing policy approaches’ (business as usual) to creating ‘new urban neighbourhoods’.

Other themes and subthemes include: greenspace, health, cultural facilities, gypsy and traveller sites, flood risk, affordable housing, crime, transport, community safety, waste management, identifying town and local centres etc.

It takes about 1 hour to read the consultation document and answer the questions. The most important thing to note is that you can say what is missing without having to be asked with a consultation question.

See: http://www.leeds.gov.uk/page.aspx?pageID=1d747321-11cb-4008-869c-8f7e77d9daea files are down the right hand side of the screen, you will need to look at the ‘Issues and Alternative Options’ document if interested.

The consultation is open until 4^th December. This document is important to anyone wanting Leeds to develop in a way that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable.

Please use the comments button to give your views on the contents of the Core Strategy so that you can inform and inspire others who may respond to the consultation. This blog is not part of the consultation process it is to inform you of the consultation and to provide a place for discussion and information sharing.

The Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is important for influencing Leeds planning policy and is taken into account when deciding planning applications. There are some proposed changes to the RSS, including a weakening of the requirement for new developments to have on-site renewable energy generation. To make a representation on the proposed changes please see:

http://www.goyh.gov.uk/goyh/plan/regplan/propchanges/

The deadline for responses is 21st December 2007