New sites for industry are needed in Kirklees.
And identifying areas for future business forms part of the Local Plan which Kirklees Council has launched and is seeing the public’s view on approaches to future land allocation.
Clr Peter McBride, Cabinet member for Investment and Regeneration, said: “I chair the £1bn West Yorkshire Transport Fund and we have big schemes that we want to bring forward, but we need a Local Plan to do that.”
Cooper Bridge is one of them and Clr McBride says the transport improvements could come forward in six years.
But to muddy the waters, Calderdale also needs a Local Plan for it to happen and they are behind Kirklees in creating one.
Clr McBride explained: “Part of it is Calderdale, but the land we want to release to improve access to it is in Kirklees and it’s crucial for us.”
Clr McBride says talks with local industry leaders over the last five years has highlighted the future needs.
“Flat land near to arterial roads attracts a premium,” he said. “We want industry to invest in us. it will make Kirklees bigger and better, it will bring more jobs.
“If we don’t plan for more industry and new housing then the future is obvious – we miss out.
“We miss out on the council tax, business rates and new homes bonus (a government incentive to back house building) and it’s at a time when the government wants us to rely more on this for income.
“Industry is key for the future prosperity.
“We will work with any firm that wants to relocate or help them stay local. Ultimately, it is the staff and their skill set that is key, but sites are important.”
Kirklees has launched a six week consultation to source views on how they should approach the Local Plan.
A formal consultation will take place next year, with the Plan likely to be submitted in 2016 for adoption in 2017.
Clr McBride concluded: “Too much or too little development in the wrong place and our communities will fail. Not enough provision for us to grow and Kirklees people and businesses will miss the opportunity for us to play a leading part in the economic success of the city region.
“While the decisions ahead of us will no doubt by controversial, we are absolutely committed to making sure that the views of our communities and businesses are represented and heard.
