Our planning policy team have been working on updating the Kirklees Local Plan. This update will set the planning policy framework for the district, guiding future growth and change over the period 2024–2043.
The Local Plan will include:
- Our vision and strategic objectives for development in Kirklees
- Site allocations, to outline where development will take place.
- Planning policies to guide decisions on applications.
- Designations for land to be protected or safeguarded (e.g., urban green spaces, priority employment areas).
- Infrastructure provision to support development.
- A monitoring framework to review the plan’s success.
Government reforms
On 27 November, the Minister of State for Housing and Planning provided an update on the implementation of reforms to the plan-making system and published a range of guidance on planned regulations. This included how the new plan-making system will be rolled out across the country and resources to be made available to support plan makers.
Key proposals include:
- Local plans to be prepared within 30 months.
- Clearer processes for councils, producing plans to ensure consistency between Local Plans.
- Publication of a notice of intention to start local plan preparation.
- Three new Gateway assessments that will demonstrate that the local planning authority has completed all necessary plan requirements for that stage.
- New requirements for developing a plan vision, community involvement and consultation.
- Fully digital plans to increase accessibility.
- National Decision-Making Policies and changes to national planning policy to speed up decision-making and support growth.
An updated version of national planning policy framework was published on 16th December, by central government, and the new plan making regulations are due to be in place in the New Year. We’ll publish updates on our website as soon as details are available.
Our priorities
Despite these national changes, we are progressing with the Local Plan to ensure it is:
- Positively prepared – based on a clear strategy aligning with growth ambitions while meeting local needs.
- Justified and effective – supported by robust evidence and tailored to Kirklees.
- Achievable – development is supported by infrastructure and viable.
By doing this work now, we’ll be ready to move quickly when the new system is in place.
Kirklees Local Plan timetable
We published a revised timetable (Local Development Scheme) in July 2025:
- Draft Plan Consultation: Dec 2026 – Jan 2027
- Publication Draft Consultation: Oct – Nov 2027
- Submission to Secretary of State: Jan 2028
You can access the full timetable on our website: Local Development Scheme (Local Plan Timetable) | Kirklees Council
We continue to review our timetable and give formal notice of the start of the plan update when the new plan making system is in place.
Shaping the vision
Between Nov 2024 – Feb 2025, we engaged with a range of stakeholders online and through workshops with partners including:
- Kirklees Climate Commission
- Sports and Health Partners
- Huddersfield Civic Society
- Utility providers, developers, and statutory consultees
The results of the engagement will be available on our website shortly. Further work on the vision will continue in the new year in accordance with new government guidance
Local Plan evidence gathering
We’re reviewing and commissioning studies to support the Local Plan, including:
- Strategic Housing Market Assessment
- Employment Land Study
- Green Belt Parcel Analysis
- Sustainability Appraisal
- Flood Risk Assessment
- Open Space Study
- Transport Model
We’re also working with West Yorkshire Combined Authority on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and Local Area Energy Plan.
Kirklees development requirements
Housing
The government has updated its method for calculating housing needs. For Kirklees, this means 1,873 new homes per year from 2025 (up from 1,730 in the 2019 Local Plan). Over the full plan period, that’s about 35,000 homes. This figure will be reviewed annually.
Job creation
Our Inclusive Economy Strategy aims to create 27,800 new jobs. An Employment Land Study will help decide where land is allocated.
Call for Sites
Our call for sites -that has been open since 2020- is an invitation to developers, community groups, members of the public and other interested parties to put forward land to meet development needs over the plan period.
This process is temporarily on pause whilst we assess land suitability from what has been submitted to the council to date.
More details: Call for sites | Kirklees Council
All sites that are submitted for consideration as part of the Local Plan update are subject to a robust site assessment to consider their availability, suitability and deliverability. We are working with internal and external consultees to complete this process.
What’s next for the Local Plan?
In the coming months, we’ll gather evidence and engage early to shape a draft spatial strategy and alternatives, showing how the plan meets its objectives. We’ll continue site assessments to support the strategy and review national policy changes.
Existing policies will be updated following government legislation, and we’ll be preparing for a formal consultation on the draft plan in late 2026.
Stay up to date!
If you aren’t already, to keep in the loop with updates to the local plan, register on our Planning Consultations website to receive updates and notifications:
Registration – Keystone