A LOCAL plan that will shape future development in Steeton and Silsden will go to a public vote almost seven years after work on it began. The plan, which will help determine issues like what areas of land should be protected from development, and areas where development should be encouraged, will go to a public referendum in May - or whenever the next local election takes place. The 87 page document went before Bradford Council s Executive on Tuesday, when members voted that the plan go to the referendum. The Parish Councils of Steeton with Eastburn and Silsden decided to develop a joint local plan in 2014. The final draft of this plan was finally completed late last year.
File photo of new houses under construction EIGHT Bradford Councillors have added their names to a letter to the Government demanding it drop plans for a major shake up of the planning system. The letter, signed by over 2,000 local politicians from across the country, claims the massive overhaul would undermine local democracy, scrutiny and accountability - but the Government says their concerns are entirely unfounded. Earlier this year the Government proposed a zoning system to be implemented in the UK. It would see areas divided up into categories that would determine how they are developed in the future. Some areas, such as designated Greenbelt sites, would likely be protected from future development.