Latest Planning Policy News
Wakefield Council’s Consultation Portal
For Planning Policy consultation events please visit the Consultation Portal.
November 2024
Authority Monitoring Report
The Council has published its Authority Monitoring Report (AMR) for the period 2019/20 to 2023/24. This is the final AMR for the Local Development Framework, which has been replaced by the Wakefield District Local Plan (adopted 24 January 2024).
A new monitoring framework will be introduced for the Local Plan and reported in future AMRs. Please visit our Authority Monitoring Report page for more information.
Consultation on removal of permitted development rights for smaller housing in multiple occupation
The council is consulting on the introduction of an Article 4 Direction in specific areas of the district. This is to remove the permitted development rights to convert houses into small houses in multiple occupation. The consultation runs from 7 November 2024 until 5pm on 18 December 2024. For further details, including maps showing the affected areas, please visit the consultation page.
October 2024
Wakefield City Centre Conservation Areas Consultation
The Council is consulting on updated Conservation Area Appraisals and a boundary review for the city centre conservation areas. The consultation runs from 28 October to 8 December 2024. For more information and details of how to comment please visit the Wakefield conservation area review consultation.
Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document
The Council adopted a new Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document on 15 October to provide guidance on how at least 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) should be achieved through development in Wakefield district, to comply with national and local policies and the legal requirements of the Environment Act 2021. For more information visit the supplementary planning documents webpage.
Infrastructure Funding Statement
Cabinet approved the annual Infrastructure Funding Statement on 15 October 2024. This includes the money collected from planning applications. It shows how the money is being spent. It also includes future spending priorities. For more information visit the Infrastructure Funding Statement webpage.
July 2024
Self and custom build housing guidance
Guidance was published about the Wakefield District Local Plan policy requirement for specific site allocations to provide plots for self and custom-building housing.
Health Impact Assessment toolkit
A Health Impact Assessment toolkit has been created by Public Health. It will help applicants to carry out Health Impact Assessments of their emerging proposals.
May 2024
Biodiversity Net Gain Supplementary Planning Document consultation
The Council is consulting on a new Biodiversity Net Gain Draft Supplementary Planning Document from 30 May to 5pm on 26 June. For more information and details of how to comment visit the Planning Policy Consultation portal.
April 2024
Design Code Pathfinder
Wakefield Council has been selected as a national Design Code Pathfinder for 2024-25. The pathfinder programme is aimed at improving the design quality and standards within new developments. Design Codes set out a series of standards for new developments to meet which are applied through the decision-making process on planning applications. The pathfinder process will include evaluating existing design guidance and producing a new Design Code for the Wakefield district. The process will include public consultation and further details how to get involved will be published in due course.
February 2024
Guidance was published regarding:
- First Homes Position Statement
- Wakefield District Local Plan Masterplanning Guidance
- Interim Guidance for Achieving Net Gain for Biodiversity in Development
January 2024
Local Plan adopted
The Council adopted the Wakefield District Local Plan on 24 January 2024.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) adopted
An updated Statement of Community Involvement was adopted on 16 January 2024.