Local Plan 2036 Examination News

24 January 2024

The Council adopted the Wakefield District Local Plan.

6 November 2023

The Council received the Inspector's Report which confirmed that, subject to main modifications, the Local Plan is sound and can proceed to adoption.

8 June 2023

The Council is undertaking an additional consultation from Thursday 8 June until 5pm Wednesday 19 July 2023.

The purpose of this consultation is to set out the reasons why the Council does not wish to allocate a site to the east of Womersley Road in Knottingley (LP1527 / Parcel10) which the Inspector considered could be feasible.

The consultation will allow representations to be submitted on this matter and the sustainability appraisal which has been prepared for the site which will be considered by the Inspector. Full details are set out in EX.WDC117 Additional Consultation - Rejected site LP1527 Land East of Womersley Road, Knottingley.

The preferred method is to view and make comments online using the Council's Consultation Portal.

Alternatively this comment form can be returned to wdlp@wakefield.gov.uk by 5 pm Wednesday 19 July 2023.

May

25 May 2023

The Council has extended the Main Modification consultation to 5pm Thursday 6 July 2023 to ensure that those persons who did not receive the original consultation notification have time to respond. For details please see our Main Modifications page.

17 May 2023

The Council will consult on the Main Modifications to the Local Plan from Thursday 18 May to 5pm Wednesday 28 June 2023. For details please see our Main Modifications page.

March

20 March 2023

The Council's response to INS11, the Inspector's Post Hearing Letter may be viewed in document EX.WDC108.

10 March 2023

INS11 - The Inspectors Post hearing letter for Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the hearings is now available to view in the Examination Library. This letter covers the Inspectors views on the way forward for the examination. Along with this letter there is an additional information note, INS11a Green Belt Settlement Infill Boundaries.

February

14 February 2023

Consultation 17 on documents EX.WDC106: 5-Year Housing Land Supply Statement 2023/24 – 2027/28: Post Examination Hearings Update and

EX.WDC107: Wakefield District Local Plan Housing Trajectory - Post Examination Hearings Update, January 2023 has now ended and submitted comments are available to view in the Examination Library under Examination Consultation comments. The Inspectors post hearings letter will be sent to the Council in due course outlining the way forward.

07 February 2023

In document INS10 the Inspector asked the Council to respond to a message re. Lisa Smith v SSLUHC [2022] EWCA Civ 1391, a Court of Appeal Judgement. The Council's response may be found in document EX.WED105.

January

27 January 2023

Consultation 17

Documents EX.WDC106 Five Year Supply Statement 2023/24 -2027/28 Examination Update and EX.WDC107 Post Examination Hearings Update - Housing Trajectory, January 2023 have been released by the Council and relevant participants as recommended by the Inspector have been directly invited to submit comments. The consultation will run for 2 weeks from Monday 30 January 2023 and all comments received will be available to view in the Examination Library after the deadline.

18 January 2023

Following the Stage 3 hearing session held last week on 11th January, document EX.WDC25d - Schedule of Actions and Main Modifications has now been updated and is available to view in the Examination Library

11 January 2023

A Stage 3 Hearing will take place today at the Town Hall in Wakefield, starting at 10am with Funding and delivery strategy for the South Featherstone Link Road and implications for the delivery of site LP11 (Matters 5 and 12) and then at 2pm for Funding and delivery strategy for the Knottingley Sustainable Transport Package and implications for the delivery of site LP775 (Matters 5 and 14. All hearing information may be found in the Examination Library, including INS09a, the Inspectors hearing programme and agenda. Spectators are welcome to attend and both session are available to view live on the Councils YouTube Channel.

10 January 2023

The following document is now available to view in the Examination Library:

EX.WDC25c Updated Schedule of Actions and Main Modifications as at 9 January 2023

December

19 December 2022

INS09 – Stage 3 Hearings Programme and Agenda is now available to view in the Examination Library. All other information may be found on the Stage 3 Hearing Information page.

November

30 November 2022

Stage 3 hearing information may be view in the Examination Library and will be updated as further information becomes available.

29 November 2022

Wakefield Local Plan - Stage 3 Hearing

Following Stage 2 hearings and receipt of representations on documents EX.WDC103 and EX.WDC104 the Inspector considers a further hearing is required on the proposed Knottingley link road and South Featherstone link road schemes.

This will allow an opportunity for the further evidence to be discussed and allow the Inspector to raise a number of questions with those persons already involved in this Matter.

Stage 3 hearings will take place on Wednesday 11 January 2023 at The Town Hall in Wakefield and will be streamed on the Councils YouTube channel. The Inspector’s Draft hearings programme and agenda will be released in due course.

24 November 2022

Document EX.WDC07a an update to the Specific Green Compensatory Improvement Note is a now available to view in the Examination Library.

It responds to Action Points 68, 69, 70, 89, 109, 212 of EX.WDC25b (Post hearings task list) and provides supporting information for the forthcoming Main Modifications Consultation which is due to take place early next year.

18 November 2022

Submitted comments for Consultation 16 on documents EX.WDC87.1 (LP1476 Land at Bar Lane Note on Playing Pitches and Community Park) and OTH 07 (Sport England comments on additional playing fields Information for LP1476) are now available to view in Examination Consultation Comments.

17 November 2022

Documents EX.WEC78a Matter 5 - Council Hearing Statement Appendix 1 - Update October 2022 and 2.1a WDLP Infrastructure Delivery Plan Update – October 2022 are now available to view in the Examination Library. They fulfil, post hearing action points 24, 230, 231, 236 and provide information to support the upcoming Main Modification's Consultation.

17 November 2022

The Inspector has accepted a late submission for Consultation 14 on document EX.WDC93 (Gypsy and Traveller Needs) from The Stanley Residents Group. Please view all comments in Examination Consultation comments.

14 November 2022

Submitted comments on Consultation 15 - Document EX.WDC102 Employment Land Need and Supply Update are now available to view in Examination Consultation Comments.

14 November 2022

Submitted comments on Consultation 13 - for Documents EX.WDC103 (Knottingley Sustainable Transport Package) and EX.WDC104 (South Featherstone Link Road) are now available to view in Examination Consultation Comments.

07 November 2022

Due to a technical issue letters informing people and organisations registered on the Councils Local Plan consultation database about the current consultation on Pre-Main Modifications on New Sites; Reasons for Accepting, Rejecting or Excluding Sites; and Green Belt Sensitivity Testing of Rejected Site Options have not been sent. This issue only affects people or organisations who request contact by post only. People and organisations who request contact by email have been informed before the consultation commenced on 27th October 2022.

Revised letters have been sent to all affected consultees on Monday 7th November 2022 informing them they will be provided with an extension to the consultation period. They will now be able to submit responses to the consultation until 5.00pm on Wednesday 21st December 2022 providing an extra 2 weeks to prepare and submit a response if they wish.

03 November 2022

Consultation 16

Following the hearing session for Matter 9, which was held on Tuesday 20th September 2022 at 2pm, action points 222 and 223 (in EX.WDC25b - Schedule of Action Points and Main Modifications) were raised.

The Inspector asked the Council to provide additional supporting information relating to compensation for the loss of the playing fields which may be found in document EX.WDC87.1 (LP1476 Land at Bar Lane Note on Playing Pitches and Community Park) and to speak with Sport England, whose response may be found in document OTH 07 (Sport England comments on additional playing fields Information for LP1476).

The Inspector is seeking further comments on the 2 documents from those persons who participated in the hearing session. All submitted comments will be available to view in the Examination Library after the deadline on Thursday 17th November 2022.

October

31 October 2022

Late submission accepted by the Inspector for Consultation 11 from Mrs Alison Hirst of Hessle Farm. All comments may be view in the Examination Library under Examination Consultation Comments.

27 October 2022

The Council is undertaking a Pre-Main Modification on New Sites; Reasons for Accepting, Rejecting or Excluding Sites; and Green Belt Sensitivity Testing of Rejected Site Options from Thursday 27 October until 5pm Wednesday 7 December 2022. For further details please see the Pre-Main Modifications Consultation October 2022 page.

24 October 2022

Consultation 14 on document EX.WDC93 (Stage 2 Hearing Gypsy & Traveller Need and Supply Information as requested by the Inspector (Matter 6)) ended on Friday 21st October 2022 and from those persons invited to submit comments one comment was received for Ms Elizabeth Spaven and Mr Tom Spaven.

Comments for all other consultations may be found in the Examination Library under ‘Examination Consultation comments’ or in the Council's Objective Consultation Portal.

24 October 2022

Invitations to take part in the following consultations have now been issued to those persons directly involved with each Matter. The consultations will run for 2 weeks from today and all comments received by Monday 7th November 2022 at 5pm will be made available to view in the Examination Library.

Consultation 13

Consultation on Notes Requested by the Inspector on The South Featherstone Link Road and the Knottingley Sustainable Transport Package Link Road
Following the stage 2 hearings the Inspector wrote to the Council (INS08) requesting further information about:

The South Featherstone Link Road (LP1335) and the delivery of the ‘Land South of Featherstone’ Special Policy Area (LP11); and
The Knottingley Sustainable Transport Package link road and the delivery of the ‘Land South and East of Knottingley’ Special Policy Area (LP775)

In response the Council have produced the following notes:

EX.WDC104 Note for Inspector – South Featherstone Link Road (LP1335) and Land South of Featherstone Special Policy Area (LP11)
EX.WDC103 Note for Inspector – Knottingley Sustainable Transport Package (LP777) and Land South and East of Knottingley Special Policy Area (LP775)

The notes have been published at the Inspectors request for a two-week consultation with attendees at stage 2 hearing on Funding and delivery strategy for the South Featherstone bypass, Knottingley link road and the South Elmsall link road (Matters 5, 11, 12, 14 and 16) held on 22nd September 2022 and others who responded to the previous consultation on the earlier Council note on these transport schemes (EX.WDC79)

Consultation 15

Consultation on Employment Land Need and Supply Update Note– Post Stage 2 Hearings
Following the stage 2 hearing on housing and employment land need/requirement (Matters 3 and 4) the Council have produced a note setting out its position – EX.WDC102 (Post Stage 2 Hearings Update on Employment Land Need and Supply). The Inspector has asked for the note to be consulted on for a two-week consultation with attendees at the stage 2 hearing on housing and employment land need/requirement (Matters 3 and 4) on 21st September 2022.

20 October 2022

In relation to Action Point 14 of the Matter 6 Gypsy and Traveller Session, please see the Council's response in document EX.WDC100 - LP851 Land adj 242 Doncaster Road Policies Map Extract the requested plan for LP851 set in the context of the designations and other nearby allocations, in particular the Safeguarded Line for Canal Restoration (LP865).

7 October 2022

Consultation 14 on document EX.WDC93 Stage 2 Hearings Traveller Need and Supply Information as Requested by the Inspector (Matter 6), which is a response to Action Point 228 is now taking place and participants to Stage 1, Matter 6 (Gypsies, Travellers & Travelling Show persons) hearing session and the more recent Stage 2 hearing session which took place on Wednesday 21st September) have been directly invited to submit comments. All comments will be available for you to view in the Examination Library under Examination Consultation Comments after the deadline on Friday 21st October 2022.

3rd October 2022

Updated document EX.WD25b is now available to view in the Examination Library. This task list has been updated to include action points and Main Modifications which have arisen during the Stage 2 hearing sessions which took place on 20th, 21st and 22nd September 2022.

3rd October 2022

At the Stage 2 hearings a number of outstanding actions which the Council need to undertake were discussed in order for the Inspector be in a position to write a post hearings letter (and determine whether the Plan is capable of being found sound and legally compliant subject to Main Modifications). Inspectors document INS08 , highlights areas for which the Inspector is seeking further information from the Council. Once the Council have responded, Stage 2 participants to the Featherstone by pass and Knottingley Link Road session and respondents who submitted comments on document EX.WDC79 will be invited to submit further comments.

September

27 September 2022

There will be a virtual Right to be heard session on the Green Belt settlement Infill boundary for Chapelthorpe LP954 as shown in EX.WDC72 (Changes to Green Belt Settlement Infill Boundaries Summer 2022) today with Dr Tersa Robson-Capps and the Council. The Session will start at 2pm and may be viewed live on the Councils YouTube Channel.

20 September 2022.

Stage 2 live hearings start today. They will be held live in the Kingswood Suite at the Town Hall, Wakefield and spectators are welcome. Please refer to document INS07d for timings and an agenda. The hearings may also be viewed live on the Councils YouTube Channel.

20 September 2022

INS07d An updated Hearing Programme and Agenda is now showing all Council participants is now available to view in the Examination Library.

16 September 2022

At the request of the Inspector the Council have produced an updated version of the following tables from The Employment Land Supply Information Note (EX.WDC06) with data for monitoring years 2020/21 and 2021/22, please see document EX.WDC92 containing:

Table 1: Completions 2008/09 to 2021/22
Table 2: Losses 2008/09 to 2021/22
Table 3 Take-up Rates
Table 4: Projected Take-up Rates

15 September 2022

Documents EX.WDC90 An Official Copy of the Title Plan for Land at LP853 and EX.WDC91 Official Copy of the Register for Land at LP853 (land adjacent Ivy Cottage and Heath Caravan Site, Doncaster Road, Wakefield) are now available to view in the Examination Library.

15 September 2022

In relation to hearing session 2 (Tues 20th Sept at 2pm), for the proposed Special Policy Area at Bar Lane / North Avenue (LP1476), the Council has prepared some supporting information to aid the discussion. There are also copies of the relevant Greenspace Needs Assessments for the locality. The following documents are now available to view in the Examination Library:
EX.WDC87 - LP1476 Land at Bar Lane Note on Playing Pitches and Community Park
EX.WDC87a - Appendix 1 Indicative Layout of improved sports pitches at Ferry Lane
EX.WDC88 - Wakefield North West Greenspace Needs Assessment November
EX.WDC89 - Wakefield Central Greenspace Needs Assessment – November 2021

14 September 2022

INS07c An updated hearings Programme and agenda for Stage 2 hearings which commence on Tuesday 20th September at 10am is now available to view in the Examination Library.

13 September 2022

Documents now available to view in the Examination Library:
EX.WDC25a – An Updated Schedule of Actions and Main Modifications as at 13 September 2022, Showing completed tasks, with links to corresponding documents.

OTH05a A recent ecological report for Vale Head Park produced by West Yorkshire Ecology Service has been submitted by Jon Trickett MP.

Please see OTH 05, Mr Trickertt’s Email , OTH 05a, Vale Head Park Ecology Report and accompanying documents OTH 05b, c, d and e.

The Council have responded to Mr Trickett, and their response may be found in document EX.WDC82 – Council's response to OTH 05.

EX.WDC83 A note to the Inspector in response to actions points 103, 104 and 64 in regard to LP763 Parking Evidence and Availability/Developability Update

EX.WDC84 Council's response to Matter 8 Action point 64 - Unconfirmed Availability of Sites

EX.WDC85 Council's response to AP 101 Horbury Bridge additional analysis note

EX.WDC86 – Supporting information in response to the Inspectors Stage 2 Hearing agenda Question 5 – A data table for participants

August

24 August 2022

INS07b Updated Stage 2 Hearings programme and agenda is now available to view in the examination Library. Please note point 3 on page 11 should refer to junction 32 NOT Junctions 33. For other changes refer to updated participants lists.

18 August 2022

Document INS07a - Updated Draft Hearings Programme and Agenda (including participants) is now available to view in the Local Plan Examination Library.

July

21 July 2022

Document EX.WDC81 - Note for Inspector - Green Belt Exceptional Circumstances Table Update in response to action point 67 from the Post hearings task list (EX.WDC25 is now available to view in the Examination Library. This document relates to notes in :

EX.WDC42: Note for Inspector – Five Year Housing Land Supply Statement 2022/23 – 2026/27
EX.WDC43: WDLP Housing Trajectory
EX.WDC44: Note for Inspector – Other Actions from the Matter 23 Hearing Session on Housing Supply

21 July 2022

Wakefield Local Plan - Stage 2 Hearings

Stage 2 hearings will take place from Tuesday 20 September to Thursday 22 September at The Town Hall in Wakefield. Please refer to INS07 Inspectors Draft hearings programme and agenda for further details. Respondents wishing to participate, must contact the Programme officer by Friday 12 August. The gallery will be open for spectators and hearings sessions may also be viewed live on the Councils YouTube Channel.

20 July 2022

The following documents are now available to view in the Examination Library.

EX.WDC42 5-Year Housing Land Supply Statement 2022/23-2026/27: Post Examination Hearings Update
EX.WDC43 Wakefield District Local Plan Housing Trajectory - Post Examination Hearings Update
EX.WDC44 Note for Inspector – Other Actions from the Matter 23 Hearing Session on Housing Supply

14 July 2022

The Council is undertaking 3 further consultations. The following information is available for all to view and those persons who qualify to submit comments will be contacted directly by email.

All three consultations will run for 3 weeks, commencing on Thursday 14th July and finish on Wednesday 3rd August at 5pm. Once all the comments have been collected, they will be available to view in the Examination Library under ' Examination Consultation Comments'.

Consultation 10

Matter 5 Action point 26 -Updated National Highways Statement of Common Ground

In response to Matter 5 action point 26, the Council has now agreed the Local Plan Transport Assessment Mitigation Test Report with National Highways and updated the Statement of Common Ground with National Highways. Appendix 1 of the Council's Matter 5 Hearing Statement has also been updated to reflect the final Mitigation Test Report. A note summarising the updates to the Mitigation Test Report and the reason for updating Appendix 1 of the Council's Matter 5 hearing

statement has been produced by the Council to accompany this consultation on the updated Statement of Common Ground. Please refer to the following documents:

EX.WDC75 Wakefield District Local Plan Transport Assessment: Wakefield Strategic Model Update: Mitigation Test Report, June 2022 (also EV1.106)
EX.WDC76 Wakefield Council and National Highways Local Plan Statement of Common Ground June 2022
EX.WDC77 Summary and explanation of the updates to the Transport Assessment Mitigation Test Report
EX.WDC78 Matter 5 – Council Hearing Statement Appendix 1 – Highway and Transportation Infrastructure Schemes update 2022

This consultation is open to all people and organisations registered on the Council Local Plan consultation database

Consultation 11

EX.WDC79 Council Response to Item in Appendix 1 of the Inspectors Initial Post Hearing Letter Regarding Matter 5 – South Featherstone Link Road (LP1335), Knottingley Southern Link Road (LP777) and Improvements to Broad Lane (LP1339)

This document has been released by the Council and participants to the following hearing sessions have been directly invited to submit comments:

Matter 5 – Infrastructure and viability
Matter 11 - Pontefract development sites
Matter 12 – Featherstone development sites
Matter 14 – Knottingley development sites
Matter 16 – South Elmsall/South Kirby development sites

Consultation 12

EX.WDC80 Technical Assessment of Potential Job Growth in Wakefield and the Implications for Housing Need

This document has been released by the Council for consultation in response to the Inspectors Initial Post Hearing letter (Appendix 1, Matters 3 and 4 - Housing requirement, employment growth and the Plan period, paragraphs 3 & 4).

This consultation is open to all people and organisations registered on the Council Local Plan consultation database.

June

16 June 2022

The Council is undertaking a Pre-Main Modification Changes to Green Belt Settlement Infill Boundaries consultation on changes to the policies map through the Schedule of Changes 2021(1.13) at submission of the Wakefield District Local Plan 2036 to the Planning Inspectorate from Thursday 16 June until 5pm Wednesday 27 July 2022. For further details please see the Pre-Main Modifications Changes to Green Belt Settlement Infill Boundaries page.

May

27 May 2022

Consultation 9 on document EX.WDC45 Statement on the Background and Approach to Community Stadia, has now ended and comments are available to view in the Examination Library under Examination Consultation Comments.

23 May 2022

For consultation 8 on document EX.WDC56 – Note to Inspector LP44 Transport Assessment and Housing Allocations at Altofts, 5 comments were received from persons other than those who were directly invited to take part. The Inspector has now had sight of these comments and has agreed to accepted them. They may be viewed in the Examination Library under the subheading ' Examination Consultation Comments' for Consultation 8.

19 May 2022

The Council is undertaking a Pre-Main Modifications Gypsy and Traveller Sites consultation on changes to the supply of gypsy and traveller accommodation to meet the identified need as discussed under Matter 6 of the Local Plan Examination hearing sessions from Thursday 19 May until 5pm Wednesday 29 June 2022. For further details please see the Pre-Main Modifications Gypsy and Travellers page.

19 May 2022

The following documents have been added to the Examination Library:

EX.WDC70 Traveller Need and Supply Information Note
EX.WDC71 Traveller Site Assessment and Decision-Making Process Information Note
EX.WDC71a Summary Schedule of Traveller Site Assessment February 2022
EX.WDC71b Initial Traveller Site Assessment

10 May 2022

Consultation 8 on document EX.WDC56 Note to Inspector - LP44 Transport Assessment and Housing Allocations at Altofts has now ended and comments may be found in the Examination Library under Examination Consultation Comments.

10 May 2022

Consultation 9

Document EX.WDC45 Statement on Background and Approach to Community Stadia in response to Matter 8, Action Point 66 has been released by the Council and participants to Matter 8 (Approach to Site Allocations and Green Belt releases) hearing session have been directly invited to submit comments.

The Consultation will run for 2 weeks and all comments received will be available to view in the Examination Library after the deadline.

April

25 April 2022

Consultation 8

Document EX.WDC56 has been released by the Council and participants to Matter 8 (Approach to Site Allocations and Green Belt releases) hearing session have been directly invited to submit comments. Supporting information for this consultation is as follows:

Responses to examination consultation 5 on Document EX.WDC31 - Note to Inspector on Justification for Retention of Safeguarded Land - LP770 included a response from Vistry Group which was accompanied by a Transport Assessment and Update Note which had not been submitted to the Council as part of previous consultations as the Wakefield District Local Plan was prepared.

The Inspector asked the Council to review these documents and provide her with comments. The Council have done this in EX.WDC56 – 'Council Response to Inspector's Message to the Council Regarding EX.WDC31 and Transport Assessment Submitted as part of the Subsequent Targeted Consultation on the Document'. The Inspector now invites participants who attended the Matter 8 (Approach to site allocations and Green Belt releases) hearing session, to submit comments on the following documents if they wish to do so:

Transport Assessment and Update Note
EX.WDC56 – Council Response

The deadline for comments is at 5pm on Tuesday 10 May and they will be available to view in the Examination Library in Consultation Comments section thereafter.

21 April 2022

The Inspector has accepted a late representation from Normanton Town Council and it may be viewed with the Hearing Statements under Matter 15 (Normanton Development Sites) Please see HS15.13 Normanton Town Council (Ms Donna Johnston).

21 April 2022

Document EX.WDC56 - Note to Inspector re LP44 Transport Assessment and Housing Allocations at Altofts, is now available to view in the Examination Library. Those persons who participated in the Matter 8 (Approach to site allocations and Green Belt releases) hearing session will be invited to submit comments on this document in due course.

March

31 March 2022

Consultation comments from Mr Phil Lee for document EX.WDC37 Rail Freight Transfer Provision in the District have now been accepted by the Inspector and added to the Examination Library, they may be found under 'Examination Consultation Comments'.

30 March 2022

Document EX.WDC45 Statement on Background and Approach to Community Stadia in response to Matter 8, Action Point 66 is now available to view in the Examination Library.

28 March 2022

The Council is undertaking a Pre-Main Modifications consultation on new accepted site options from Thursday 31 March until 5pm Wednesday 11 May 2022. For further details please see the Pre Main Modifications Consultation page.

28 March 2022

The following documents have been added to the Site Specific Supporting Evidence Allocations:

LP1476 Land off Bar Lane - Matter 9 Hearing Statement
LP1476 Land off Bar Lane - Supporting Information
LP1511 Transport Assessment
LP1511 Playing Pitch Information Note

25 March 2022

Document EX.WDC41 - The Council's response to Matter 19 Action Point 131- Hot Food Takeaways April 2021 may now be viewed in the Examination Library. This document will be made available for consultation alongside the Main Modifications consultation in due course.

22 March 2022

Consultation 7 on document EX.WDC37 Rail Freight Transfer Provision in the District has now ended and comments may be found in the Examination Library under Examination Consultation Comments.

14 March 2022

The Inspector has accepted a late submission of evidence presented by Ms Sandra Dean on behalf of Altoft Residents. The evidence is a petition raised by the residents and may be found in the Examination Library as a Hearing Statement under Matter 15 (Normanton Development Sites) as documents HS15.12 .

7 March 2022

Document EX.WDC37 - Note to Inspector - Rail Freight Transfer Provision in the District, in response to action point 46 for Matter 10 (in EX.WDC25 Schedule of Action Points) has been added to the Examination Library. The Inspector has invited participants who attended the Matter 10 (Castleford Development Sites) hearing session, to submit comments on the new document if they wish to do so. Any comments submitted may be viewed in the Examination Library after the consultation deadline on 21 March 2022.

February

25 February 2022

The following documents are now available to view in the Examination Library:

EX.WDC39 – A note to the Inspector re South Featherstone Link road Western Terminus – the Council's response to Action Point 31 for Matter 5 (Infrastructure and Viability)

EX.WEC40 – A note to the Inspector re LP510 Cycle Route Requirement – the Council's response to Action Points 51 and 52 for Matter 10 (Castleford Development Sites)

23 February 2022

Document EX.WDC37 a note to the Inspector re: Rail Freight Facilities in response to Hearing Action Point 46 for Matter 10 is now available to view. This document will be released for consultation in due course to participants involved in Matter 10 - Castleford Development Sites.

23 February 2022

Following the Local Plan hearings which took place in November and December 2021, the Inspector has issued INS06 - Inspectors Post Hearings Letter to the Council and it is now available to view in the Local Plan Examination Library.

7 February 2022

Document EX.WDC 38 Employment Land and Supply Update - is now available to view in the Examination Library

Consultation 4

Matter 5- New Evidence - Axiom (Yorkshire) LTD

New evidence documents in regard to Junction 32 on the M62 Motorway, Castleford HS 5.8.1, HS 5.8.2 and HS 5.8.3 were submitted to the Inspector in Late November 2021 just before the hearing sessions commenced. The Inspector has reviewed the documents and asked that they are appended to the Matter 5 hearing statement for Axiom Yorkshire Ltd (Avison Young). Matter 5 hearing participants have been invited to comment on the documents if they wish to do so and the comments will be available to view in the Examination Library after the consultation deadline on 21 February 2022.

Consultation 5

Matter 8 - Action Point 65

Document EX.WDC31 - Note to Inspector on Justification for Retention of Safeguarded Land - LP770 in response to action point 65 for Matter 8 (in EX.WDC25 Schedule of Action Points) has been added to the Examination Library. The Inspector has invited participants who attended the Matter 8 (Approach to site allocations and Green Belt releases) hearing session, to submit comments on the new document if they wish to do so. Any comments submitted may be viewed in the Examination Library after the consultation deadline on 21 February 2022.

Consultation 6

Matter 7 Action Points 174/179/183

Document EX.WDC35 - Note for Inspector - Actions from Matter 7 Other Housing Needs in response to action points 174, 179 and 183 for Matter 7 (in EX.WDC25 Schedule of Action Points) has been added to the Examination Library. The Inspector has invited participants who attended the Matter 7 (Other Housing Needs) hearing session, to submit comments on the new document if they wish to do so. Any comments submitted may be viewed in the Examination Library after the consultation deadline on 21 February 2022.

January

02 February 2022

Document EX.WDC36 - DRAFT West Yorkshire Combined Authority Rail Freight Study - Part 1 – Baseline information, the Council's response to Action Point 46 for Matter 10 (Castleford Development Sites) is now available to view in the Examination Library.

The Council is also preparing a short note for the Inspector in regard to rail freight transfer provision in the district and will be added to the Examination Library when it becomes available.

28 January 2022

Document EX.WDC31 Note to Inspector - Justification for Retention of Safeguarded Land LP770 has been issued by the Council in response to action point 65 for Matter 8. A consultation will be held on this document in due course.

26 January 2022

The Council have issued document EX.WDC35 - Note for Inspector on actions identified during the hearing session for Matter 7 on 'Other Housing Needs'. The note is in response to Action points 174, 179 and 183.

25 January 2022

The Inspector asked the Council for further information on document EX.WDC29 - Note for Inspector – Lead-in and Build Out Rates for Specific Sites, a response to action points 104 and 200. This has now been completed and an updated version EX.WDC29.1 is available to view.

25 January 2022

Consultation comments submitted for Document EX.WDC26 - Note on Viability Impacts of Accessible Housing Standards Policy from participants who participated in Matter7 hearing session, may be viewed in the Examination Library here - Examination Consultation Comments

20 January 2022

Document EX.WDC32 - Note for Inspector - C6 Main Site Delivery Update, the Council's response to Actions Points 49 and 191 is now available to view.

19 January 2022

Consultation comments submitted for Document EX.WDC23 - Site LP1329 - Alternative Historic Environment wording from participants who participated in Matter 9 - Wakefield Development Sites hearing session, may be viewed in the Examination Library here - Examination Consultation Comments

19 January 2022

The following information in regard to site LP742 has been accepted by the Inspector. Please see EX.WDC34 at note from Dr Stookes obo Hemsworth Town Council in regard to site availability.

19 January 2022

Document EX.WDC30 - Note on justification for areas of Housing Restraint, the Council's response to 'Matter 2 - Action Point 3' is now available to view in the Examination Library. (Consultation as part of Main Modifications - details to follow in due course).

12 January 2022

Documents EX.WDC33 - Windfall - Early Years Analysis was presented to hearing participants during the Matter 23 (Housing Supply) hearing session. It is now available to view in the Examination Library.

10 January 2022

The following documents are now available to view in the Examination Library:

EX.WDC27 A note to Inspector – Safeguarded Land Distribution across the Settlement Hierarchy in response to Matter 8 - Action Point 72

EX.WDC29 A note to Inspector - Lead in and Build out rates for Specific Sites discussed at hearing session in response to Matter 18 – Action Point 104 and Matter 23 – Action Point 200

10 January 2022

Consultation 1 on document EX.WDC22 (Historic Env Strategic and Local Policies) for participants to Matter 22 has been withdrawn due to errors in the text.

A new document EX.WDC28 replaces the above, highlighting amendments and is available in the Examination Library to view. The new has been issues to Matter 22 participants to submit comments if they wish to do so. The document was created in response to Action Point 158 in EX.WDC25 (Schedule of action points and Main Modification.)

6 January 2022

EX.WDC26 Note on Viability Impacts of Accessible Housing Standards in response to action point 182 for Matter 7 (EX.WDC25 Schedule of Action Points) has been added to the Examination Library.

The Inspector has invited participants from Matter 7 to submit comments on the new document if they wish to do so.

4 January 2022

EX.WDC25 – A schedule of Actions and Main Modifications is now available to view. This document highlights all action points and issues raised as a result of the recent Local Plan hearing sessions. The document will be updated on a regular basis to show any completed actions points with links to corresponding documents where applicable. It will also show documents released for further consultation and will indicate a deadline for submissions or a link to comments received.

December

21 December 2021

Consultation 1 - Document EX.WDC22- Amendment to policy wording for items in Matter 22 (Historic and Natural Environment) has been released today. The Inspector has invited participants from Matter 22 to submit comments on the amended text if they wish to do so.

21 December 2021

Consultation 2 - Document EX.WDC23 - Alternative Historic Environment wording for Site LP1329 in Matter 9 (Wakefield Development Sites) has been released today. The Inspector has invited participants from Matter 9 to submit comments on the amended text if they wish to do so.

15 December 2021

Today is the last day of Local Plan Examination in Public. The hearing session for Matter 23 Housing Supply will be followed by a closing session with the Inspector and the Council. They will address any action points, Main Modifications and issues which have arisen during the examination and the Inspector will discuss the next steps with the Council.

Mr Neville Ford concluded the hearing session with a Closing Statement on behalf of the Council - EX.WDC24.

13 December 2021

Further to the Council producing EX.WDC21 an updated housing trajectory table for Matter 23, the Inspector has asked for further notes to support the table and these may be found in document EX.WDC21.1 in the Examination Library

10 December 2021

The Council have released an updated Housing Trajectory to support the hearing session for Matter 23, Housing Supply on Wednesday 15 December. EX.WDC21 may be viewed in the Examination Library.

During Matter 6 Gypsies, Travellers and Travelling Show People hearing, the Inspector asked the Council for document EX.WDC20 - Letter to Travellers from WDC (Sept2019). It is now in the Examination Library for you to view.

9 December 2021

A new document has been added to the Examination Library - EX.WDC19 Child of the North Report (also 2.62) was presented by the Council to the Inspector during the Matter 19 hearing session on Retail and Town Centres.

8 December 2021

An updated Draft Hearing Programme INS04f, is available to view. This updated version also includes details of additional virtual hearing sessions, which are as follows:

Weds 8 December at 2:30pm – Right to be heard session with Historic England (today)
Fri 10 December at 9:30am - Matter 15 Normanton Development Sites
Weds 14 December – Right to be heard session with Mr Pete Gleave (Zerum Ltd) for Production Park Ltd

6 December 2021

A virtual hearing session will take place on Wednesday 8 December at 2.30pm with the Council and Historic England. After the submission of an updated Statement of Common Ground between Wakefield Council and Historic England (Document 2.52). The agenda for the session has been amended, please see HA13a WDLP Amended Hearing Agenda below. The hearing will start at 2.30pm and it may be viewed on the Councils YouTube Channel.

HA13a WDLP Amended Hearing Agenda VIRTUAL HEARING Historic England Weds 8 Dec (PDF)
HA13a WDLP Amended Hearing Agenda VIRTUAL HEARING Historic England Weds 8 Dec (ODT)

The Inspector has asked the Council to produce the following 3 data tables to support the hearing session for Matter 6 which takes place on Wednesday 8 December at 9.30am:

EX.WDC16 – Gypsy and Traveller Sites Data Table
EX.WDC17 – Traveller Accommodation Need and Supply Table
EX.WDC18 – Traveling Show People Sites Data Table

1 December 2021

Evidence Document: 2.61 - Knottingley (inc. Ferrybridge) Urban Area Housing Trajectory is now available to view.

November

30 November 2021

Evidence Document: 2.60 Featherstone Urban Area Housing Trajectory.

The Inspector has asked for this document to be circulated to all Matter 12 ( Featherstone Development Sites) participants, prior to the hearing.

29 November 2021

The following documents have been added to the Examination Library:

INS04e - Wakefield LP Inspectors Draft Hearing Programme (ODT)
INS04e - Wakefield LP Inspectors Draft Hearing Programme (PDF)

The following documents have been added to the evidence base:

2.58 Knottingley Bypass - Transport Assessment (February 2014)
2.59 Strategic Outline Case - South Featherstone Link Road

25 November 2021

Right to be heard Virtual Session

This is a virtual hearing session with Historic England, covering Matters 9,10,11,12,14,21 and 22. This session will available to watch on the Councils YouTube Channel. The Council will also bring to the session an updated document - 2.52 Statement of Common Ground between Wakefield District Council and Historic England and present the changes to the Inspector in the hearing.

The following documents have been added to the Evidence Base at the Inspectors request:

2.56 Letter from SSE Regarding Ferrybridge Power Station Employment site (LP75)
2.57 Letter from Mount park Logistics Regarding Ferrybridge Power Station Employment site (LP75)

23 November 2021

The Wakefield Local Plan public hearings commenced today with an opening statement by Neville Ford. The hearings will cover all the matters and issues where the Inspector is seeking further information on the draft plan. The hearings will run until 16 December, all supporting information may be found on the live hearings information page here.

19 November 2021

An updated Draft Hearing Programme INS04d, including a list of participants is now available.

INS04d - Wakefield Local Plan - Inspectors Draft Hearing Programme - V1 (PDF)
INS04d - Wakefield Local Plan - Inspectors Draft Hearing Programme - V1 (ODT)

18 November 2021

The following Hearing agenda is now available:

HA11 – WDLP Hearing Agenda Matter 7 and Matter 25 – Tuesday 14 December ODT
HA11 – WDLP Hearing Agenda Matter 7 and Matter 25 – Tuesday 14 December PDF

Matter 24 Note from the Inspector

After reading the Council's Matter 24 hearing statement I can confirm that I have no further questions for the Council on waste matters. There are no other participants down to attend the hearing session. Therefore, on this basis I have removed Matter 24 from the hearing agenda and will rely on written evidence and submitted representations to determine soundness on this matter.

18 November 2021

The following Hearing Agendas are now available:

HA10 WDLP Hearing Agenda Matters 19, 20, 21 and 22 Thursday 9 December 2021 (PDF)
HA10 WDLP Hearing Agenda Matters 19, 20, 21 and 22 Thursday 9 December 2021 (ODT)

17 November 2021

The following Hearing Agendas are now available:

HA8a Matter 18 Hearing Agenda has been amended to remove the 2nd bullet point on item 15.

HA8a WDLP Hearing Agenda Matters 15, 16, 17 and 18 7 December 2021 (PDF)
HA8a WDLP Hearing Agenda Matters 15, 16, 17 and 18 7 December 2021 (ODT)
HA13 WDLP Various Matters – Virtual hearing with Historic England – Thursday 25th November (PDF)
HA13 WDLP Various Matters – Virtual hearing with Historic England – Thursday 25th November (ODT)

This is a virtual session via Zoom and will be streamed live to the Councils YouTube Channel

Evidence document EV2.48 - LP208: Castleford Riverside Special Policy Area Housing Trajectory has been produced at the request of the Inspector in the hearing agenda for Matter 10 Castleford Development Sites at item 10.

The production of the trajectory has highlighted a mistake in the Councils Hearing Statement for matter 10 Castleford Development Sites at paragraph 10.11. and therefore, a revised Matter 10 hearing statement has been produced, HS10.1.1 Castleford Development Sites - Updated 171121.

16 November

The following Hearing Agendas are now available

HA9 WDLP Hearing Agenda Matters 6 Wednesday 8 December 2021 (PDF)
HA9 WDLP Hearing Agenda Matters 6 Wednesday 8 December 2021 (ODT)

All participants and Spectators attending the venue, must adhere to the following requirements listed in OTH1 - Information and Covid-19 requirements for all Local Plan Participants and Spectators – Updated 16 Nov 2021.

13 November 2021

The following Hearing Agendas are now available:

HA7 WDLP Matter 14 and Matter 13 - Friday 3 December (PDF)
HA7 WDLP Matter 14 and Matter 13 - Friday 3 December (ODT)

12 November 2021

The following Hearing Agendas are now available:

HA4 Matter 9 and Matter 10 - Tuesday 30 November (PDF)
HA4 Matter 9 and Matter 10 - Tuesday 30 November (ODT)
HA5 Matter 11 and Matter 12 - Wednesday 1 December (PDF)
HA5 Matter 11 and Matter 12 - Wednesday 1 December (ODT)

11 November 2021

The following Hearing Agendas are now available.

HA1 Matter 1 and Matter 2 – Tuesday 23 November (PDF)
HA1 Matter 1 and Matter 2 – Tuesday 23 November (ODT)
HA2 Matter 3 and Matter 4 – Wednesday 24 November (PDF)
HA2 Matter 3 and Matter 4 – Wednesday 24 November (ODT)
HA3 Matter 5 – Thursday 25 November (PDF)
HA3 Matter 5 – Thursday 25 November (ODT)
HA6 Matter 8 – Thursday 2 December (PDF)
HA6 Matter 8 – Thursday 2 December (ODT)

4 November 2021

INS04c Draft Hearing Programme is the latest update as at the 4th November 2021. Since the previous update, the sitting days in week two and start times throughout the programme have been changed.

October

6 October 2021

Correction in INS05 Inspector Matters, Issues and Questions for Matter 9 on page 25 LP1411 is wrongly titled as Calder Park Land at Jct 39 M1 and should read LP1411 Broad cut Farm, Calder Grove.

September

27 September 2021

INS04a - an updated hearing programme including participants is now available. Please note, the initial hearing programme has been amended to allow more time for certain sessions, due to this the hearings will extend into week commencing 13 December 2021.

August

27 August 2021

The Council have responded to question 6 in the Inspectors pre hearing note 2. Please see document EX.WDC14 – response to PHN 2 – Q6- Site Assessment Report for Accepted Sites.

20 August 2021

The Inspector has now released to the Council, examination guidance notes, a draft hearing Programme and the Inspectors matters, issues and questions. The Inspector is also inviting individuals who wish to participate in the Hearings to contact the Programme Officer by 5pm on Monday 20th September 2021 and for hearing statements to be received by 5pm on Wednesday 6th October 2021. The Programme officer is happy to receive all correspondence by email. However, paper copies by post will also be accepted.

For more details please refer to documents:

INS03 – Wakefield Local Plan - Inspectors Guidance Note (PDF)
INS03 – Wakefield Local Plan - Inspectors Guidance Note (ODT)
INS04 – Wakefield Local Plan – Inspectors Draft Hearing Programme (PDF)
INS04 – Wakefield Local Plan – Inspectors Draft Hearing Programme (ODT)
INS05 – Wakefield Local Plan – Inspectors Matters, Issues and Questions (PDF)
INS05 – Wakefield Local Plan – Inspectors Matters, Issues and Questions (ODT)

05 August 2021

The Council's response to Inspectors pre hearing note INS02 questions 1 & 2, document EX.WDC13 Housing Technical Paper July 2021 Update has now been added to the Examination Library.

July

29 July 2021

The Council have responded to the following questions listed in the Inspectors pre hearing notes 1 and 2: INS01 - Q16 (5 year supply statement), INS01 - Q21 (Green Belt maps), INS02 – Q3 (explanation of sites with zero housing capacity).

13 July 2021

Document EX.WDC09 a Flood risk technical paper (exception test –part b) has been released by the Council in response to question 14 in INS01 – Inspectors pre hearing note 1.

05 July 2021

The Inspector has issued INS02, a second pre hearing note to the Council, seeking further information.

05 July 2021

The Council have responded to a further question in INS01 – The Inspectors pre hearing note 1. Response to Question 10, EX.WDC 08 is a list of Inset Maps to assist site visits.

Maps provided for the Inspector were not full policies maps, as they did not include designations. The maps were an extract of the policies map only. The full policies maps are already available in the submission documents and in the Local Plan Portal as interactive electronic versions.

June

30 June 2021

The Council have issued EX.WDC07 Specific Green Belt Compensatory Improvements Note in response to INS01- Inspectors PHN 1, Questions 24.

Evidence document EV2.1 Infrastructure Delivery Plan 2021, has now been added to the Examination Library.

25 June 2021

The Council have issued EX.WDC06 - Employment land supply information in response to question 18 in INS01 (Inspector's prehearing note 1 to the Council).

21 June 2021

Further to the Councils initial response (EX.WDC02) to INS01 - Inspectors pre hearing note 1, the Council have now responded to Questions 11, 13 and 23 and submitted the following information:

The following documents which were not available at submission are now also available in the Evidence Base:

11 June 2021

The Council have issued EX.WDC02 a response to INS01 - Inspectors pre hearing note 1 and have submitted the following information to accompany their response. Further requests from the Inspector are still outstanding and will be added to the Examination Library in due course.

May

20 May 2021

The Inspector, Ms Katie Child has issued her first item of correspondence to the Council INS/01 Pre-hearing Note 1. This sets out the provisional list of matters and issues that will be the focus of the examination. There are several items for which the Inspector is seeking a response from the Council, and these will be added to the Local Plan Examination Library as they become available.

11 May 2021

The Planning Inspector, Katie Child B.Sc. (Hons) MA MRTPI, has been appointed by the Secretary of State as the Inspector.

04 May 2021

Submission to the Secretary of State - The Wakefield District Local Plan 2036 was formally submitted to the Secretary of State on 4 May 2021 for independent examination.