Kirklees Local Plan consultation
Proposals for the new Kirklees Local Plan will not do enough to protect residents and businesses from the impacts of the changing climate.
The Kirklees Local Plan is a key planning document which will set out a long-term vision and framework for how our district should grow and change in the future. It sets out how much development is needed including housing and employment, and identifies areas that will be protected from development such as wildlife habitats or safeguarded for future uses.
In March 2026, Kirklees Council began work on a new Local Plan to meet new national requirements. The Council invited local residents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders to take part in an initial scoping exercise over the summer.
Here are the Kirklees Climate Commission’s responses to the questions in the Kirklees Local Plan Scoping Consultation. For the full context, you can download the council’s consultation document here.
1. Do you think we have used the right information and evidence to help update the Local Plan?
No. While KCC understands that the Local Plan is a complex document to develop and that the requirements are across many strands of policies and regulations, we feel the evidence regarding sustainable development, and especially climate change, is scattered throughout the analysis and is not sufficient to ensure that the new Local Plan is climate change proofed.
Vital elements, such as the detailed assessment of the carbon consequences of development on virgin pastureland or the carbon implications of new housing locations, are not even considered. The Kirklees Climate Commission is most willing to support you with this evidence.
2. Do you think the priorities identified through our earlier engagement are still the right priorities for Kirklees?
No. There should be explicit consideration of the causes and consequences of climate change in and relevant to Kirklees. A plan priority should be the consideration of the full suite of the change issues, rather than a random assortment of fragmented but nevertheless important matters. For example, rather than just considering flood risk, it is essential to evaluate land water absorption capacity and drainage flow.
3. Have we identified the main issues and opportunities that will shape the future of Kirklees?
No. In the strengths there is no consideration of the progress made to date to ensure climate change mitigation and adaptation to meet the Climate Emergency Resolution from 2019. In the weaknesses section, there are no references to the absences of a carbon change policy filter to ensure compliance with good practice that can safeguard future welfare.
Opportunities include an existing capacity for climate change resilience, and this should be supported and developed further. Equally, the threats section should be much expanded to include all impacts, not just weather, flooding, and overheating.
4. Having considered the factors in Section 3, are there any issues in Kirklees or your local area that you think need their own Local Plan policies?
Yes. There needs to be a detailed and comprehensive consideration of all aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the resulting implications for all forms of development.
5. Do you agree with our vision for the future of Kirklees up to 2043?
No. Although we support the vision in section 4.1 in climate change, we would like to see a much more comprehensive list of key issues and potential actions. KCC would be happy to help in drafting an amended statement.
6. Do you think our vision reflects the main issues and opportunities facing Kirklees?
No. Please see the response to question 5.
7. Have we identified the right places for future growth in Kirklees?
No. Only a small selection of places is presented. The local plan should consider the problems and potentials of all places in Kirklees, especially in regard to climate change alongside the other economic, social and environmental elements.
8. Are there any places in Kirklees that you think should receive more attention within the vision or be better protected?
Please see the response to question 7.
9. Does the vision give a clear picture of what Kirklees should be like by 2043?
No. No alternative scenarios or an agreed central scenarios are presented, which would allow pathways from the present to the future to be developed, and which can then guide the Local Plan preparation.
10. Do you think these are the right objectives to achieve the vision for Kirklees?
Yes. However, the statement is incomplete and unambitious. KCC is happy to help redraft this statement.
11. What services, facilities or infrastructure are needed to help deliver the vision and goals for Kirklees?
The provision of all services, facilities and infrastructure should be guided by a climate change assessment and evaluation framework that can help minimise harm and support mitigation and adaptation.
