Horsforth (From Wharfedale Observer)

Horsforth

3:55pm Thursday 24th January 2013 in News

FORUM 2000: The group attracted a good turnout, despite the icy weather, on January 16 to hear Martin Hughes talk about planning changes and their implications for the people of Horsforth in National To Local Planning Policy. As a councillor on the planning committee of Horsforth Town Council, Martin knows all about the latest developments in national planning policy and his presentation explained them and emphasised the need for local involvement in the three stage process. The Localism Bill lays down the national Planning Policy Framework providing three tiers of responsibility, National, Metropolitan (our core being Leeds) and Neighbourhood. At stake is the national need for more houses. Leeds has to build 74,000 and each local area has its own allocation. The choice of development site can theoretically be down to local people if they draw up their own Neighbourhood Plan. If Leeds City Council is to accept this, it must meet certain criteria. For example it must be drawn up by an approved body with a planning consultant and it must support the Leeds plan, be sustainable and based on consultation and good evidence. Horsforth has appointed its planning consultant but cannot start the process because it is in dispute with Pudsey over the exact boundaries of the area. Searching questions followed the presentation and elicited the information that in the end the Minister of State could reject the local decision. Martin stressed the need for ratepayers to understand what is happening. On January 30, Dr Alan Ogden will talk about Facial reconstruction in Archaeology. Forum 2000 meets on Wednesdays at 10am in the Grove Centre, New Street, Horsforth LS18 4BH. All welcome. Contact Hilary Taylor at hm.taylor1@ntlworld.com or on 0113 2583521.