Photo taken prior to COVID-19.
At the meeting of Full Council on Tuesday, the Conservative Group on Bradford Council will push for local residents to have longer to respond to the Council’s Local Plan proposals.
Councillor Geoff Winnard (Conservative, Bingley) will propose a motion calling on the Council to extend the Local Plan consultation which is at present due to end on 24 March, with the consultation period having been the minimum six-week period allowed,
Cllr Geoff Winnard said, “We must ensure that local residents and community groups are given an opportunity to have their say on Bradford Council’s emerging Local Plan which sets out proposed new sites for housing and employment in all of our local areas. It is just not possible to have an inclusive public engagement exercise whilst the current lock-down restrictions remain in force – with no scope for face to face meetings and only those with access to the internet able to take part.
The Local Plan is intended to shape the development of our district for the next 15-20 years and as numerous other Councils have extended their consultation periods, some extensively, it must surely be possible for Bradford to do likewise, to ensure that the voices of all of those interested in the future of their communities are heard.”
Councillor Winnard will be supported by Cllr Debbie Davies (Conservative, Baildon), who is seconding the Motion.
Cllr Debbie Davies said, "In Baildon we are doing all we can to inform people of this consultation but until recently we haven't been allowed to deliver door to door due to Covid rules and we are not currently able to use the library or the community centre so people without internet access or not confident navigating the huge consultation can't actually see what is proposed. As Covid restrictions are thankfully easing we think now is the ideal opportunity to extend the consultation for a few more weeks to allow people to find out more about what is proposed for future housing for the district."
